We've decided to peel back the layers of this incredible work of art and share some interesting facts about the Guardians with you. Did you know Chris Pratt was almost passed over for a role? And below are the 23 intriguing things about Guardians of the Galaxy.
1. Dave Bautista's Makeup Took Five Hours a Day and He Never Sat Down
Source: Guardians of the Galaxy / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
2. Chrome Dome
Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
In order to prepare for her part as Nebula, Karen Gillan shaved her head. They then created a wig from her own hair!3. Getting the Part Made Dave Bautista Cry
Source: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
4. Vin Diesel Recorded His One Line Over 1,000 Times
Source: Gage Skidmore / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0
5. Chris Pratt Got the Role in Just 30 Seconds
Source: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Chris Pratt's audition was so amazing, director James Gunn stated, that he didn't even have to lose weight if he couldn't, and they'd just CGI him a six-pack if they had to.6. Playing Groot Helped Vin Diesel Deal with Paul Walker's Death
Source: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
7. Director James Gunn Did the Groot Dance
Source: Guardians of the Galaxy / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
It was director James Gunn's performance that was used for motion capture during the mid-credits scene when baby Groot was dancing to "I Want You Back."8. Chris Pratt Lost 60 Pounds for the Role
Source: Guardians of the Galaxy / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
9. Chris Pratt Improvised Star-Lord Flipping the Bird
Source: Guardians of the Galaxy / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
10. Most Marvel Characters Only Have 12% of a Plan
Source: Guardians of the Galaxy / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
11. Pratt Wasn't Shy About Basing his Performance on Harrison Ford's Han Solo
Source: Guardians of the Galaxy / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
12. Djimon Hounsou Took the Role Because He's a Cool Dad
Source: Guardians of the Galaxy / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
13. Groot is a Real Word in Many Languages
Source: Marvel
14. Star-Lord Takes Inspiration From Two Iconic Characters
Source: Back to the Future / Universal Pictures
Chris Pratt says his Star-Lord is a mix of Marty McFly and Han Solo.15. Yondu Actually Plays for Both Sides
Source: Marvel
Yondu (Michael Rooker) is presented as a mercenary and... something of a villain in the film. In the comics, however, he is not only a proud member of a tribal warrior race, but he is also one of the Guardians of the Galaxy's founding members.16. Everyone Wanted to Be Gamora
Source: Marvel Studios
Following Olivia Wilde's rejection of the role of Gamora, Gina Carano, Rachel Nichols, and Adrianne Palicki auditioned for the part, which was ultimately given to Zoe Saldana.17. Guardians Made Cassette Tapes Cool Again
Source: zanny / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Following the success of the soundtrack album, Marvel announced that the mix tape would be released as a special limited edition cassette tape from November 17th to December 31st, 2014. The tape was only sold at record shops.18. James Gunn Spent Lots of Time Fine-Tuning the Soundtrack
Source: Metaweb / GNU Free Documentation License
19. James Gunn Gave Out Play-Doh as a Reward
Source: James Gunn / via Facebook
On set, James Gunn kept a stash of Play-Doh canisters and would hand them out to everybody who did an outstanding job that day. Anyone could apply, whether they were an actor, a grip, a stuntman, or a PA. With a staff of nearly 200, he only gave out about 40 Play-Doh prizes over the course of the 85-day filming.20. James Gunn's Brother Played Rocket on Set
Source: Marvel Studios
21. Vin Diesel Was Old Pals with the Sound Guy
Source: The Iron Giant / Warner Bros.
Vin Diesel was relieved to learn that the sound technician on Guardians who assisted him in recording his lines as Groot was Doc Kane, the same sound technician he worked with on The Iron Giant.22. Rocket Is a Goodfella
Source: Warner Bros.