Fast-paced action and explosions are always great to see in superhero movies, but without the deeper themes and story beats, they would be hollow, and in the end, unenjoyable. Fortunately, like its predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 won't be lacking those elements. While he isn't willing to divulge specific plot details (or else he'd risk the wrath of the infamous Marvel snipers), Kurt Russell, who is playing Peter Quill's father, Ego the Living Planet, says that the sequel is all about the personal relationships between the main characters.
After noting how Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 had a great atmosphere among the cast and crew during principal photography, Russell explained to Collider that the San Diego Comic-Con footage didn't delve into the deeper "human" issues that the movie will have. In his words:
I was impressed with the stuff that I saw at Comic-Con, but they didn't show you everything [laughs]. It's a very complex story, and they really get into it. This is going to be one of the more---probably for Marvel, it's more connected to human issues, family issues, parental issues, and issues that sons and daughters have with their moms and dads and their family tree, where they come from. I just think it's going to be an interesting--- Peter's character in this one, he's got dilemmas and he's got decisions to make that are not just about whether to save that thing or that person. This is about finding out who you are, where you come from, and where you're going.
From what we've heard so far about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, this familial focus will primarily be represented through Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, meeting his father Ego, who in the first movie was simply described as a mysterious being considered to be both an "angel" and "jackass." In the midst of whatever challenge the Guardians are facing in the sequel, Peter will come face to face with the man who's been a mystery to him his whole life, and we'll find out whether Ego lives up to the expectations he's built in his head after all these years. No pressure, right?
Besides Peter and Ego getting to know one another, moviegoers will also see the sibling dynamic between Gamora and Nebula more deeply explored in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. In the first movie, the "sisters" were at each other's throats, as Gamora wanted to escape Thanos and work with the Guardians, while Nebula determined to please the Mad Titan, and when that didn't work, she joined Ronan so she could see both dear ol' dad dead and Gamora dead. We still don't know yet how or why the sisters will reunite, but because Nebula will become one of the new Guardians, they'll have to work out their differences so they can properly work together against the new threat plaguing the galaxy.
Fans can see relationships, along with the other leading characters dealing with their own issues, when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters on May 5, 2017.
