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Is James Gunn Closing In On The First Of His GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?!?!
The Kidd here...
The first domino to fall for Marvel's GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY might not be too far off, as the studio moves to sign a handful of actors to test deals for the role of Star-Lord/Peter Quill, the half-man, half-alien leader of the Guardians.
On director James Gunn's short list of candidates for the time being, according to Variety's Jeff Sneider, are Joel Edgerton, Jack Huston (BOARDWALK EMPIRE), Jim Sturgess, Lee Pace (THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2 and THE HOBBIT) and Eddie Redmayne (LES MISERABLES). Each of them will be brought in to test for the part, if they haven't already, and, from there, perhaps one of them lands the lead role, or maybe none of them are right in Gunn's mind, and the search continues.
The main component of this is that Gunn and Marvel Studios are moving quickly to start locking up the cast of a film that isn't set to hit theatres until 2014. I've got a feeling Rocket Racoon can't be too far off.
-Billy Donnelly
"The Infamous Billy The Kidd"
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Readers Talkback
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Nov. 29, 2012, 1:01 a.m. CST
Even as a total Marvel fanboy (not so much boy anymore), this one is a weird one. Especially with Star Wars in the same MouseHouse.
by DidntPullOutInTimeCop
There's room for both, I guess.
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Please, someone, clear this us for me. I can't get a straight answer.
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His biggest work was Slither for gawd's sake..........
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the raccoon and the tree will be live action, the rest animated. I was under the impression it's live action?
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You know it to be true...
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Nov. 29, 2012, 1:27 a.m. CST
I don't know any of those actors.... It sounds like they're just going for someone cheap and slightly known?
by happybunni
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But, Lee Pace was kind of awesome in the new Twilight movie (to be fair, I only watched it at the urging of the "How Did This Get Made" podcast).
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I say use claymation. I have read more often that it's going to be animated - though I don't see how that fits into Marvel's bigger plans.
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where, outside of comments from anonymous comments on talkbacks, have you read that it's going to be animated?
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Do it Gunn! It's his destiny!
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Nov. 29, 2012, 1:58 a.m. CST
comments from anonymous comments, jesus dyslexic christ
by DidntPullOutInTimeCop
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Nov. 29, 2012, 2:11 a.m. CST
Is it racist for me to want Chris Rock for Rocket Racoon?
by the Green Gargantua
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Nov. 29, 2012, 2:12 a.m. CST
I can't help but feel that the inclusion of Rocket Raccoon will mean that i'll be sharing the cinema with a SHITLOAD of stoners...
by Sean
Which will be great for snack bar profits, but far from great for me.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 2:13 a.m. CST
I was stoned when I typed that, are in the house?
by the Green Gargantua
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In SFX's Marvel preview, I think. Total Film as well. My memory is, uh, kind of spotty, though I am certain it was from a good source, not talkback.
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Seems Marvel confirmed this a few weeks ago, and the articles stating otherwise were in error. And yes, I understand the tree and the raccoon will be CGI . . . or will they?
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You are right on the racoon. You either go with the chris rock, type of caricaturisation (obviously not like the two racist caricatures in transformers), or you go the other route and have clint eastwood type of character. I like the Chris rock style route, but its a fine line between character and racist caricature, so i suspect it wouldn't be risked Hopefully the tree and racoon will be a combo of CG and animatronic (like treebeard was)
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Grandson of John Huston, nephew of Angelica. His performance as Richard Harrow, the war veteran sniper with half a face is the most interesting part of Boardwalk Empire. I fear he goes out in a blaze of glory this week. I'd love to seem him get a big role in a big movie.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 4:50 a.m. CST
I'd definitely pick Huston off that list, he does amazingly good work on Boardwalk Empire
by Stegman84
He's earned his shot. Of the rest, I could live with either Edgerton or Redmayne (who was really great in Pillars of the Earth), both are quality actors, but yeah, Huston would be my number one pick.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 5:17 a.m. CST
In a perfect world, Either Marvel or Star Wars
by chronicallydepressedlemming
would be owned by Universal and the other remain at Disney. At least then we'd get some real competitiveness going. I'm also worried what Marvel being a Disney property means for the awesome Spiderman ride at Universal Island of Adventure. I fucking hate Disney world with its outdated rides and tech. I went purely because you have to go at least once, right? But the rides are just such a let down with some of the worst animatronics I've ever seen. Universal is so much better! They might have some outdated animatronics themselves (Jurrasic Park ride anyone?) but at least they add new stuff using all the latest tools of the trade. And Disney? Their 'updated' Pirates of the Caribbean ride post-movies is fucking dire. "Oh look its a Johnny Depp mannequin popping out of a barrel over and over!" It's like some backwoods community museum!
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He just needed one big role
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And this movie has "disaster" written all over it. Anyone who thinks it's a good idea is going to be sadly disappointed.
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Jim Sturgess??? Please.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 7 a.m. CST
guardians of which Galaxy..? there's like quite a few out there...and who in their right mind would pick a raccoon to guard a galaxy????
by cameron
Fuck 'em.
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Garrison Keillor
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Solid actor. Loved him in HEARTLESS. He's got a good range and they'll need someone likable for the ladies. For the voice of Rocket Raccoon, I'd go for Peter Dinklage.
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That approach worked for Captain America and Thor, so I guess it'll work here too.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 7:37 a.m. CST
In recognize like two of those names, so they must all be British
by terry1978
Nothing wrong with that, but that's usually what they are when I don't recognize the names except via fanboy circles.
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My first millisecond reaction was *what, cause he's short?!* But damn if his voice wouldn't be perfect for that. Well done.
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I am so angry about how they are handling this movie even though I never heard of it before
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I love Lee Pace, so there's that and the idea of Jason Statham voicing a raccoon makes me laugh. (thx bloody fox)
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of course they are. if it comes out in the summer we're talking 18 months for a movie that's going to require a lot of post production. time is of the essense!
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Something about that name. They do very okay in movies & tv. My money is on Jack Huston. Joel Edgarton is a good choice, if a little old and grizzled. These casting choices seem funny. Do they have the tone of this movie nailed down yet?
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Nothing is going to change for the Marvel area at Universal. They have a contract for the characters that extends next to forever from what I've heard. Plus, why would Disney want to change it, as it stands, they are getting royalties from their largest competitor in Orlando. Seems like a win/win situation to me.
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There should be at least 7 mentions of Nathan Fillion by now . . .
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. . . . the voice actor must be of the same height as the character . . .
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Can you hand me that possum?
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He's worked with Gunn before. And his voice sounds tough without being too deep for an anthropomorphic space raccoon.
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This movie = throw away money. I guess all that Avenger's fueled cocaine money has addled their brains.
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Never read anything with the character. But I love him. Just for sticking it to the trend where they make the character an asshole, give him a cigar and make him murder people, and then call him and edgy anti-hero.
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was in Lincoln and the seminal but short lived genre tv classic Pushing Daises yet you think referencing a twilight movie is the best way to get geek attention. One thing about geek credibility, when you focus on mainstream GARBAGE as opposed to actual geek product, or at least QUALITY, you lose all credibility you search engine pandering douchebags
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Nov. 29, 2012, 10:09 a.m. CST
Rooker has already stated he wants the Rocket Racoon role.
by Scott Baiowulf
http://www.movieweb.com/news/exclusive-michael-rooker-talks-rocket-raccoon-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy "Oh, yeah. Most certainly. I know that James Gunn is doing it. He is directing it, and he is re-writing it. He is a very loyal director. He is a very loyal writer, when it comes to working with people that he knows and loves. He really appreciates the efforts that each actor puts into these roles. And I would be very honored and pleased to work with James Gunn again...Whether it will happen or not, I don't know. But he is a dynamite guy, and we have remained friends ever since we worked together on Slither. I haven't done much research on it at all yet. Because I don't know what is going to happen. I'm really crazy busy with The Walking Dead right now. But you know what? Write this up. Tweet the fuck out of it. If the fans want me as Rocket Raccoon, Marvel will listen to you guys, I think, sometimes...Perhaps I will be lucky and blessed enough to go in there, and go at it with Mr. Gunn again, who knows? "
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Nov. 29, 2012, 10:20 a.m. CST
Yea I guess you can't have a black guy play the Racoon without it being seriously offensive, put me down for Rooker, (but I would feel differently if
by the Green Gargantua
Snipes was not rotting in a jail cell)
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Not trying to be a dick, but if you don't know any of those actors, why do spend time on a website about movies? This isn't TMZ, where acting talent is judged by how many times you can be seen drinking coffee in public.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 10:36 a.m. CST
I'm down with Huston or Pace. But I'd be amazed if they actually went with Huston.
by Wcwlkr
I mean he kills it on Boardwalk, but the role is extremely different from his Phantom hitman character. I mean I think he'd do a great job, ever since Pushing Daisies I'm a Lee Pace fan. I'm actually suprised Whedon hasn't been in Gunn's ear to try and push Nathan Fillion.
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Lee Pace was fantastic in The Fall, and had been on the fringes of Hollywood for a while now. The other actors are also good choices for Star-Lord. I'm a little surprised that Gunn hasn't auditioned his buddy Nathan Fillion. Oh, and Rooker as Rocket Raccoon? I'll stand by that.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 10:46 a.m. CST
I didn't even know who Lee Pace was till you mentioned The Fall.
by kindofabigdeal
I was gonna go with Sturgess myself, but I agree Pace needs something like this to show everyone just how good he is. (Yeah, a comic book movie featuring a talking raccoon will do that)
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Nov. 29, 2012, 10:49 a.m. CST
Will the soundtrack include the Beatle song Rocky Raccoon? If it does then I'm back to Sturgess, who can sing it himself.
by kindofabigdeal
He did do Across the Universe.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 10:59 a.m. CST
has to be live action, don't see this being 100% stand alone in the marvel universe
by ahdvd
Haven't we seen hints that Thanos may be the villain in this? or at least make an appearance? I think marvel are planning well ahead, look at when they are releasing it, after the first iron man, thor and captain america phase 2 movies, but BEFORE avengers 2 - who wants to bet that in avengers 2 we will see them banish hulk, a la planet hulk, and as long as GOTG is successful, cross that story over with the Rocket Raccoon on in the comics as didn't Rocket Raccoon end up teaming up with the hulk?
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Nov. 29, 2012, 11:24 a.m. CST
BLADE WENT BACK TO MARVEL, YES? WESLEY WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WHEN HE GETS OUT OF THE CAN.
by Darth Busey
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Nov. 29, 2012, 11:34 a.m. CST
I've hear of Star Lord.............never heard of G.O.T.Galaxy.
by LORDOFLIGHT
And I'm a bit of a Marvel fan too.
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You dumb niggers.
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I also hope Joel gets the gig. It's a crime that Sam Worthington keeps getting big movie roles and Joel still isn't well known.
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Doubt they get it though.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 12:07 p.m. CST
Personally I'd rather see Kiefer Sutherland as Rocket Racoon, damn it!
by Stegman84
Though I could certainly live with Michael Rooker getting the opportunity, and the paycheck that comes with it. His onscreen brother, Norman Reedus, would be pretty good too. Though there is a part of me that really wants them to go off the wall with the voice casting choice, and get someone like Schwarzenegger or Walken for the role, just because, well, just because...
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I'm not a Whedon freak, but, Fillion in this type of role would actually make more sense than the half a dozen other roles Whedon fans keep putting him in...
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Make it happen.
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Dramatic chops - The Fall, The Hobbit, Lincoln Comedy chops - Pushing Daisies He's also quite a tall fellow with a rather imposing stature. I honestly think he'd be a great Peter Quill/Star-Lord I can also perfectly imagine him arguing with a talking raccoon.
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Probably because Marvel doesn't control the rights to the fantastic four (specifically galactus and the silver surfer) or the x-men (star jammers) and needs to expand its film universe into outer space before the next avengers movie - the teaser at the end of the avengers film sets up space bound adventures - and i believe guardians of the galaxy will help develop the 'space' universe of marvel comics. Damn - I wish they had the FF - cause hell the cross over potential with various things would be awesome
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FACT!!!!
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Huston is greatness. You'd get my butt in the seat if he's in it.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 1:57 p.m. CST
I'm actually kinda excited for this.....could be kickass.
by Ultron ver 2.0
As for R. Raccoon, put me down for semi-psycho voice. Maybe a Michael Wincott, or the Marcus Fenix from Gears of War, Fred Tatasciore....god that would be awesome and hilarious.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 2:09 p.m. CST
Why are you referencing TWILIGHT? Lee Pace was good in THE FALL and great in LINCOLN. Another idiot point for Kidd.
by golden tribw
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Nov. 29, 2012, 2:11 p.m. CST
This is going to be terrible, James Gunn is a horrible director who still directs like he works for Troma.
by SergeantStedenko
Not sure how any of his previous films qualify him to direct a film like this. I will be truly shocked if this turns out to be halfway decent, maybe the DP and CGI team can save it, but I'm expecting Green Lantern level bad or worse, Tromeo & Juliet in Space.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 2:13 p.m. CST
Seriously, this guy is proof that anyone can make it in Hollywood as a director.
by SergeantStedenko
So, shit and get off the pot and go make your movie!
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Nov. 29, 2012, 2:37 p.m. CST
If Lee Pace were in it, I would keep expecting him to raise the dead...
by Arguendo
... and why hasn't anyone mentioned Wonderfalls, yet... too esoteric?
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Nov. 29, 2012, 2:39 p.m. CST
I wonder if Huston would use his natural voice or accent.
by DougMcKenzie
One) I don't think I've seen him use his English accent ever. 2) He's pulling a Bale on BE with the husky voice, he doesn't sound anything like that at all, in his beer commercials!
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Though if they want 'grittier,' Edgerton. From what I've seen of Huston, he's all wrong. Pace was also in the lovely, short lived Wonderfalls. But he can definitely pull off the role. I think the edge goes to Sturgess because Star Lord has to be both charming and a bad-ass, a Han Solo kind of character. Which is why Fillion would have been great 10 years ago. He's too old and out of shape now.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 3:20 p.m. CST
Tell me again how a movie about a talking raccoon and a talking tree is expected to be accessible to a general audience?
by MoPea
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Lee Pace is the awesome. Even in that new twilight, I took a Colombian girl to see that, he was fantastic!
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Nov. 29, 2012, 3:43 p.m. CST
@bass ackwards. Me too! It made the podcast much better
by fingerlickingood
that fucking cgi baby still haunts my dreams.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 3:54 p.m. CST
They should use the current voice of Rocket Raccoon for the film, Gregg Ellis
by Meta
Experienced in the role - Check (Avengers: EMH & Marvel vs. Capcom 3) Experienced Voice Actor - Check Real British Voice - Check Real on-camera British actor - Check (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0254862/) If it ain't broke don't fix it. They want to keep the budget under control, use the man who established his voice. Like Peter Cullen did for Optimus Prime. Celebrity stunt-casting doesn't always work. Why give out millions of dollars for a "famous" actor who could give 2 shits about the role and just wants to take home a fat paycheck for doing 1 week of voice work?
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Nov. 29, 2012, 3:55 p.m. CST
mukhtabi, you know you went by yourself to see it, and you thought it was fabulous.
by kindofabigdeal
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...was great in The Fall, has a high profile role in The Hobbit and will bring that serious weight of the universe on his shoulders feeling to Quill that's needed. ...twigglet can suck em (see what i did there?)
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Nov. 29, 2012, 4:09 p.m. CST
For those who know the 'character' of Rocket Raccoon...
by carlotta_valdes
...AND that are supporting Michael Rooker to do his voice, please explain why? Oh, there's no one...figures. That's because he's completely wrong for it. Don't get me wrong, I like Rooker...just not right for this.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 4:27 p.m. CST
Didn't Rocket Raccoon fuck Squirrel Girl in that one issue of Nobody Gives a Fuck You're All Manchildren Monthly #18?
by Metroid_Fetish
I'm pretty sure that's also the issue where the guy who played Obi Wan Kenobi pleaded with fans to please leave him the fuck alone.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 4:37 p.m. CST
I like every actor on the list, Jim Sturgess is a gem of a young actor.
by Randy
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Nov. 29, 2012, 5:04 p.m. CST
They should skip this and just do an 'H.R. Puff&Stuff' movie. Baaaaaaaad idea.
by Mike McCutcheon
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Nov. 29, 2012, 5:05 p.m. CST
They should skip this and just do an 'H.R. Puff&Stuff' movie. Baaaaaaaad idea.
by Mike McCutcheon
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Here is the link http://tinyurl.com/cx52oms It might take GOTG longer to come out. But then a blatant misogynist will not have control over it either.
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Cute.
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Nov. 29, 2012, 6:28 p.m. CST
@metroid_fetish, thanks for making me spit up my grits from laughter.
by Humie Bubbie
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Nov. 29, 2012, 8:13 p.m. CST
I foresee the next big AICN debate being about if the tree's got wood. I mean what the hell else are these morons going to talk about for two years.
by sagamanus
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Nov. 29, 2012, 8:14 p.m. CST
And if star wars fails. Mass suicide will follow. The final break between generations is nigh. And you idiots can't go back!
by sagamanus
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Michael Rooker isn't tall. Rocket Raccoon isn't tall. Plus, it's voice-acting, so no "forced perspective" required anyhow. Michael Rooker convincingly plays tough as nails. Rocket Raccoon is as tough as nails. Michael Rooker uses guns in every movie he's been in. Rocket Raccoon uses guns in every panel he's drawn in. Michael Rooker smokes stogies. Rocket Raccoon smokes stogies. Michael Rooker speaks like he smokes stogies. Rocket Raccoon should speak like he smokes stogies. Anyone would love to have a beer with Michael Rooker. Anyone would love to have a beer with Rocket Raccoon. I would love to get as much pussy as Michael Rooker. I would love to get as much pussy as Rocket Raccoon. I deem this hash tag worthy. Open to conflicting points of view.
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I could see that. I say Dinklage not because he's short, but because he has an absolutely distinct voice and to my knowledge hasn't used it yet in voice acting. Plus he'd give what could be a laughable character a bit of depth. Rooker just growls. Yawn.
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https://www.facebook.com/jgunn/posts/10151266978619570?notif_t=like - Because somebody is a true professional. You deserve my respect Mr. Gunn. I think I'll go watch Super now... Good luck with Guardians of the Galaxy.
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Dinklage voiced the lead pirate (I forget the character's name) in the last Ice Age movie. And yes, he was fantastic in it.
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Nov. 30, 2012, 12:47 a.m. CST
Jack Huston should get any roe he wants. He's THAT good on Boardwalk Empire. He doesn't need the laurels of the family name and is far, far better than Angelica.....
by sauronthepowerful
Make it happen.<p> Doublequick!
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Or a cartoon. Also, Gunn has seriously pissed off the internet faux geek faux feminist "community," so he must be doing something right.
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I hope they keep whoever they got in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, it's crazy how good it is.
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Dude was incredible in The Fall. Very charismatic, a star waiting to happen.
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Nov. 30, 2012, 9:19 a.m. CST
green gargantua: no. Racism does not exist. Here is what exists:
by UltraTron
Being manipulated by unseen forces throughout history. Here you idiots take these Persian gifts of cheap labor from the darkest continent. Here you idiots deal with that until it tears your country apart and you are killing your brothers. Here you idiots focus on anything but the root cause and while you die in the dirt we'll be laughing our asses off. Here you talk about complete non-issues like racism while we fuck you in every orifice. You are the ultimate pawns of the world. We have set you against each other and plundered whatever riches you excrete. Here take this, take that. Here have a carbon tax- forget that nobody else on earth does anything remotely about the carbon including Mexico on your border which is one of the most polluting offenders to the environment on earth. Here believe something your government tells you. Here become communist even though Russia says it never worked and is now more american than you. You are all equal after all. You are all our experiment. You are all complete and utter cumquots.
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Nov. 30, 2012, 9:27 a.m. CST
Yeah Brian Cox or fuck off. I didn't make you a killer wolverine. I just gave you claws. Racoon claws bitch.
by UltraTron
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Nov. 30, 2012, 10:01 a.m. CST
I thought that internet petition would be because James Gunn is a shit director. If it were I would sing it. Seriously, go watch Super and tell me you want this guy directing this.
by SergeantStedenko
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Nov. 30, 2012, 10:03 a.m. CST
Josh Whedon got a ton of shit from you guys, but Gunn gets a free pass. Have you seen any of his movies? He isn't fit to direct cable access programming.
by SergeantStedenko
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Nov. 30, 2012, 12:11 p.m. CST
Jason Statham is the perfect height for Rocket Raccoon
by Domi'sInnerChild
They need to make it happen. He's like Jim Carrey for the Mask, they can save a ton of money not having to use CG much.
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Im just jokin.
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Nov. 30, 2012, 4:43 p.m. CST
I totally respect Michael Rooker, but Rocket Raccoon wouldn't be perfect for him
by Kyle DeMattio
It would be best if a professional voice actor did the character, like John Dimaggio, Sam Marin or Mark Hamill. Or of course, I think Seth MacFarlane would be perfect to play Rocket Raccoon.
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James Gunn doing an off-kilter space opera featuring a bunch of no-name superheroes? Count me in. Slither and SUPER are two of my favorite movies the last couple years and he did the near-impossible feat of writing the remake to what is probably the best zombie movie of all time. I'm a fan of Marvel comics but never came across any GotG stuff, but from what I've read about it, it's going to cross into some strange territory and I think Gunn is the perfect voice for that. Hopefully his involvement in this leads to him collaborating with Whedon on The Avengers 2 (at least on the script). As far as the short list goes, I like Edgerton but highly doubt he takes the role. He seems destined for a legitimate superhero starring role (Possibly taking over Green Lantern for Reynolds in Justice League?), rather than a second rate title. I have limited experience with the others, but I liked the little I've seen of Huston on BE (Only seen the first season but he was a particular highlight).
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Nov. 30, 2012, 8:58 p.m. CST
This movie will be retarded. the entire concept of a 'bounty hunter space raccoon' sounds like something from an iCarly episode.
by Arcadian Del Sol
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Lee Pace is the best choice to interact with Rocky Raccoon, period: http://lizarkeo.deviantart.com/#/d5mryyq
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Gunn is the man.
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