There are a lot of things to like about the first âGuardians of the Galaxyâ movie. As the Marvel Cinematic Universeâs initial foray into the cosmic elements of the companyâs expansive canon, the film feature a variety of creative alien designs, otherworldly locales and loveably complex characters. But the real reason -- the true reason -- some folks rewatch âGuardiansâ is for that one scene where viewers get to bathe in Chris Prattâs ripped, shirtless physique. Apparently, someone at Marvel got the message, because the latest promo for the sequel, âGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,â features yet another peek at shirtless Star-Lord.
Other than the Prattâs new shirtless scene, the promo treads much of the same ground as previous trailers for the film. âGuardians Vol. 2â takes place roughly three months after the conclusion of the previous film, which saw Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax and Rocket come together to briefly harness the Infinity Stone of Power to thwart the xenophobic Ronan the Accuser, preventing him from destroying the planet Xandar. Having been pardoned by the head of Nova Corps, Nova Prime, the Guardians have taken on their infamous mantle and set off into the vastness of space to, hopefully, save the galaxy a second time.
Pratt has seen a massive physical transformation since he first hit it big in the comedy TV show âParks and Recreation,â which ran from 2009 to 2015. Pratt played Andy Dwyer, the bumbling, tubby sometimes-boyfriend of Rashida Jonesâ Ann Perkins. In the showâs pilot episode, Prattâs Dwyer fell into a pit and had to be hospitalized. Pratt has come a long way since then, having starred in both âGuardiansâ films and âJurassic World,â in which he played a raptor trainer alongside co-star Bryce Dallas Howard.
RELATED:Â The Guardiansâ Greatest Foes Get the Spotlight in New GOTG Vol. 2 TV Spot
Pratt largely owes his bodily transformation to months of hard work overseen by one of Hollywoodâs go-to personal trainers, Duffy Gaver. An ex-Navy SEAL sniper, Gaver worked with Pratt for five months, according to Menâs Fitness, starting in 2013. Prattâs workouts included bodybuilding routines, swimming, mountain biking and cardio circuits. The endeavor was no doubt a massive undertaking for Pratt, who was effectively starting from zero, but the results speak for themselves.
Debuting in theaters on May 5, âGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2â is a production of Marvel Studios directed by James Gunn and starring Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon, Dave Bautista as Drax, Vin Diesel as Groot, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha and Kurt Russell as Ego.