James Gunn Teases Ego’s Powers In Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol. 2

In the Marvel comics, Peter Quill/Starlord is the son of J’Son of Spartax, but for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, director James Gunn decided to go another way by making Starlord’s father “Ego – the living planet,” played by Kurt Russell.

Director James Gunn has provided a few more details on what to expect from Ego, namely how exactly he goes about looking “normal” in front of other beings. Gunn said:

Ego is a living planet who is able to manifest himself in different ways he’s been alone for millions of years and he’s learned how to control the molecules around him in such a way as to create avatars of themselves, such as Kurt Russell. I think Ego was a very lonely character out there by himself and went off in search of love and perhaps found it in Quill’s mother.

James Gunn elaborated on Ego’s special abilities while chatting with Complex, confirming that although he’ll primarily look like a human in the movie, his natural form will still be a planet just like in the comics.

Anyway, because of his loneliness, the MCU’s Ego created these avatars so he could interact with other alien beings, and in the ’80s, he eventually found his way to Earth and fell in love with Peter Quill’s mother, Meredith. Maybe if the comic book version of Ego had such powers, he wouldn’t be such a diabolical figure. He wouldn’t be so uptight if he could blend in as a humanoid, have some drinks and go out on dates.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters on May 5.