Despite being less funny than the first, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 had an emotional element that attracted the audience.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy is no doubt one of its most successful franchises ever. Thanks to James Gunn’s creative vision, it is now among the most watched and liked movie series ever. While everything seems to have fared well for the franchise, not everything Marvel and Gunn wanted to have made it to the film.

Guardians of the Galaxy
Before the second volume, Gunn and Marvel wanted to cast a well-known actor for the role of Chris Pratt’s on-screen father. Hence, they approached Matthew McConaughey, who unfortunately turned it down feeling he was just an amendment to an already well-established and successful franchise.

Reason Why Matthew McConaughey Rejected Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was more rooted in emotions and feelings than the first one. The movie starred Baby Groot and an alien octopus, but in the middle of it was the movie’s emotional element of Chris Pratt‘s Star-Lord finally having found his father, Ego, who was to be depicted as a sentient world but with a bearded human face.

For Ego the Living Planet’s role, James Gunn and Marvel wanted a famous actor and thus approached Matthew McConaughey. Despite knowing the overwhelming success of the movie and the prestige a Marvel role would bring to him, the actor chose to let go of the role, stating (via MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios),

“I like Guardians of the Galaxy, but what I saw was ‘It’s successful, and now we’ve got room to make a colorful part for another big-name actor.’ I’d feel like an amendment.”

And so they ended up casting Kurt Russell as Ego. Despite missing out on an actor like McConaughey, MCU won when they cast Russel as Star-Lord’s father, for the actor did an amazing job playing the narcissistic cosmic being.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Was A Bigger Hit Than The First One

A still from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Volume 2 was distinct and messier than the first movie, which was drowning in comedy and sarcasm. Meanwhile the second, having the typical comic element, was more drawn toward emotional elements and had Star-Lord’s relationship with his two father figures at the center of it.

After having searched for his real father for years, Star-Lord finally realizes he isn’t the father he thought he would be. He thus, appears to be torn between Yondu (a father figure for him) and his actual father, Ego the Living Planet.

Despite being less funny than the first movie, it was an even bigger hit. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 grossed over $863 million, while the first one had only made $772 million worldwide.

Guardians of the Galaxy franchise can be streamed on Disney+.