During the D23 Expo in California last month, we had a surprise appearance by the girls of the galaxy – Karen Gillan and Pom Klementieff! Both play kick-butt females in the hit Marvel film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. With the movie releasing on DVD & Blu-ray August 22nd, it was the perfect opportunity to sit down with the ladies to discuss life on set, and joining the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 cast.
I was invited as media to cover this press event. All opinions are my own.
Girls of the Galaxy Interviews – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Cast
Karen Gillan (Nebula) and Pom Klementieff (Mantis)
After stepping off the D23 Expo stage with many other Marvel stars, the girls met us backstage for an exclusive interview. We asked the ladies about the reception they received just moments before. Karen said, “Oh, it was amazing….it felt electric to have like 7,000 people passionate about something that you’re involved with in some way, and it’s just like totally different sensations to anything I’ve ever experienced. It felt electric.”
We also asked how the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 cast feels about being apart of Disneyland’s newest attraction, Mission: Breakout. Karen mentioned she’d love to go on it, and Pom gave her a bit of advice, “maybe not eat too much before, because it will be like up and down.” Adding, “Yeah, it’s really crazy.”
GOTG Vol2 Questions
We also asked what the feedback from fans have been now that the movie is out. Karen said, “I feel like it’s been received really well by the fans….when we were making it definitely felt like we were making something special, and everyone was delivering and it just felt like everything about the first film was so good [and] kind of amplified in the second film. So I feel like we took it to the next level.”
Our follow up question to Karen was – In the same regard, how were the fans with you when they found out that your character turned good? She shared, “Well, no one was really mean to me. I think maybe children are less scared of me now, and now they’re willing to take pictures with me, so I’m happy.”
Additionally, we asked – How are you girls like your characters? Karen shared she hoped she’s nothing like her character Nebula, but that she identified with her insecurity. Adding, “My character is the sister that’s the least favorite. She’s not as good at fighting. She’s less attractive. She’s got no hair. She feels inferior and I think everybody can probably relate to that in some capacity.” Pom also agreed that insecurities are in everyone and that’s relatable. Also sharing, “the moments that move me the most are when she doesn’t believe in herself and she just needs someone to believe in her.”
Avengers: Infinity War Questions
During D23 Expo they featured a first-look at the new Marvel Avengers: Infinity War film currently in production. Some of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 cast are also in the upcoming film, so we asked the girls about their roles. While the girls have to stay tight lipped for now, they did share some of their experience on set with the other Avengers actors, mentioning, “they’re all really cool, professional, but also goofy and it was really fun actually. They’re all really great people to work with.”
Since Pom mentioned the Avengers cast was goofy, and because I’ve interviewed some of them in the past, I asked if anyone played pranks on them while on set. The short answer was no, not yet at least, however Karen reminded Pom of a moment during GOTG Vol2 rehearsals when Michael Rooker showed his bottom to her. Pom said, “Oh, yes. It’s true. I was with James Gunn and Dave Bautista, and we were rehearsing a pretty emotional scene. You remember in the movie when I touch him and I see what he went through in his life. And at some point, we saw Michael Rooker, and he was showing his butt by the window. I’m like okay?” Everyone got a good laugh out of that.
Another question asked was – Your character Mantis is new to the Marvel world. How has your character evolved from Guardians? Pom couldn’t think of anything off the top of her head, but Karen piped up to remind her, “I feel like your character has to face a lot of her fears [in Avengers], like what we were doing the other day…because you seemed like you were nervous to do things in the film.” Pom added, “Yeah, it’s true, like my character in real life, I was upset. I was like I don’t think I can do it, but it worked out well.”
We also asked the ladies, what has been your biggest challenge for either film? Karen said, “The biggest challenge for me is probably the makeup process, just because it’s really intense. I mean, it takes about 4 hours in the morning to get ready. But it’s so cool the way I turn out….it’s so worth it, but it’s a challenge to get up at that time and go through that on a daily basis.”
Finally we asked, what do you feel about being able to inspire change and to empower women who look up to superheroes? Karen shared, “I feel like it’s about time. I mean, we’ve been craving this for a long time, and with everyone in the Marvel universe, and also Wonder Woman, it feels like there’s a real movement.”
It was really a nice surprise to sit down with these ladies and chat with them about being apart of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 cast, and now their new roles in Avengers: Infinity War. Look out for more Marvel news coming soon!
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