In the making of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Michael Rooker not only got an expanded part playing Yondu Udonta in the adventure, but he got a nice costume upgrade as well. Appearing more like how the character is drawn in the comics, Rooker spends most of his screen time in the new Marvel Studios film wearing a big red fin on the top of his head, which looks particularly awesome. Great as it is to see, however, it actually cause the actor a bit of trouble during production, as he didn't have the easiest time adjusting to his new height and width. He recently told me,
I almost knocked myself out a few times. I had to really learn to duck down under doorways and stuff. But I dug it. The fin was really cool. People ask all the time if it was heavy. It wasn't very heavy. It was very easily installed. It was as easy as the first one, I just need to remember that I'm eight inches higher and two inches out beyond my nose. That was the biggest problem, not the height, but that it was sticking out.
Michael Rooker took part in the Los Angeles press day for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 last month, and one of the things we had the opportunity to talk about was the way in which Yondu's new fin changed his physicality in the costume. Apparently he found himself occasionally forgetting that he was nearly a full foot taller than normal, and wound up bumping his head a few times.
In a twist of irony, one has to wonder if Rooker would have forgotten about the fin if it were a bit heavier or at least a touch more uncomfortable. Sure, it would have made the experience wearing the thing a bit less pleasant, but at least he wouldn't risk losing consciousness right before going to film a big scene.
On that note, Michael Rooker also told me about one specific instance that happened while on the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 set. While simply wanting to check out his look in the mirror in his trailer, he wound up accidentally knocking himself backwards on his ass. Said the actor,
I would actually go in and check out makeup or something like that, and you know how trailers have those little pop-ups? One time I went in, I was about ready to go, and as soon as I leaned in, I found myself back on the bed. I literally knocked myself backwards on to the bed. So yeah, crazy stuff.
You can watch Michael Rooker talk about his complications with his new Yondu fin in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 by clicking play on the video below.
You can now see Yondu and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy in theaters everywhere, as today marks the release of the new Marvel Studios film. Be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend in the next few days, as we not only have plenty more fun interviews and features coming your way.
