Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 Just Set A World Record
Congrats, Guardians!
Sometimes, the computer magic isn’t enough and you need practical effects. Thankfully, that’s a lesson James Gunn learned a while ago, and his preference for practical effects has paid off in an unexpected way. The man who almost wasn’t the writer/director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 just let the world know that the production of the third entry in the Marvel trilogy just unseated a world record that had remained safe for over two decades. Guardians Vol 3 has created more makeup appliances than any other single production in the world.
On Monday, Gunn tweeted the news that the FX Studio Legacy Effects had just informed him Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 had blown past the record, which was previously set in 2000 with the live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Interestingly, the Jim Carrey-led holiday flick nabbed the Oscar for Best Makeup. Could Guardians Vol 3 be on the same track? You can see Gunn’s tweet about the record below.
It isn’t clear from Gunn’s tweet whether or not Legacy Effects or anyone else involved has actually contacted Guinness World Records about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 surpassing How the Grinch Stole Christmas to codify the achievement. We’re sure someone will begin the process soon if they haven’t already. There is, however, another interesting question about the record.
A number of times in recent days, James Gunn has spoken openly about the production of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, which is being filmed concurrently with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. Assuming Legacy is also involved with the Holiday Special, are they counting appliances created for the Special toward the record? If so, could that possibly mess up their attempt to make the record-breaking official since technically they could be seen as two separate productions? We’re sure Legacy and Gunn have considered the question, but it’s an interesting one regardless. It isn’t every day the same cast and crew make a superhero blockbuster and a holiday special at the same time.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is scheduled to hit theaters May 23, 2o23, and it probably shouldn’t be too surprising that the studio handling the practical makeup is working overtime. Gunn has expressed his confidence in practical effects often, including for last year’s The Suicide Squad. The principal cast of Guardians Vol 3 will include plenty of returning alien characters like Drax (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Gamora (Zoe Saldanna); all of whom have more than their share of time in the makeup chair. At the same time Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby) is returning as the gold-skinned Ayesha — High Priestess of the Sovereign, and one of the antagonists in 2017’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 — and Will Poulter (The Maze Runner) will introduce the long-awaited Adam Warlock to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker) will also appear, but no one knows who he’ll be playing. Throw in all the background aliens and you’ve got either a makeup artist’s greatest dream or worst nightmare, depending on how they’re feeling that day.
