Guardians of the Galaxy (retroactively referred to as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1) is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It was released on July 21, 2014 (Dolby Theatre), and on August 1, 2014 in (United States). Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the 10th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Directed by James Gunn, who wrote the screenplay with Nicole Perlman, it features an ensemble cast including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper as the titular Guardians, along with Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, and Benicio del Toro. In the film, Peter Quill and a group of extraterrestrial criminals go on the run after stealing a powerful artifact.
Perlman began working on the screenplay in 2009. Producer Kevin Feige first publicly mentioned Guardians of the Galaxy as a potential film in 2010 and Marvel Studios announced it was in active development at the July 2012 San Diego Comic-Con. Gunn was hired to write and direct the film that September. In February 2013, Pratt was hired to play Peter Quill, (Star-Lord), and the supporting cast members were subsequently confirmed. Principal photography began in July 2013 at Shepperton Studios in England, with filming continuing in London before wrapping in October 2013. In addition to an original score by Tyler Bates, the soundtrack includes several popular songs from the 1960s and 1970s chosen by Gunn. Post-production was completed on July 7, 2014.
Guardians of the Galaxy was a critical and commercial success, grossing $773.3 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing superhero film of 2014, as well as the third highest grossing film of 2014. It was praised for its screenplay, direction, acting, humor, soundtrack, visual effects and action sequences. It was nominated for two awards at the 87th Academy Awards, and received numerous other accolades. A sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, was released in 2017. A third film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, will be released in 2023.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album for the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy. Featuring the songs present on Peter Quill‘s mixtape in the film, the album was released by Hollywood Records on July 29, 2014.
All songs with the exception of Spirit in the Sky, which is played in the trailer are featured in the film. Never Been to Spain by Three Dog Night, Magic by Pilot, and Livin‘ Thing by Electric Light Orchestra were also used during filming; however, the scenes in which they were featured were cut from the final version of the film.
Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell and Mama Told Me (Not to Come) by Three Dog Night were originally considered for the film instead of Moonage Daydream. Fox on the Run by Sweet and Surrender by Cheap Trick were also considered for the film. Both would be used for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s Awesome Mix Vol. 2. A separate film score album, Guardians of the Galaxy (Original Score), composed by Tyler Bates, was also released by Hollywood Records on the same date, along with a deluxe version featuring both albums.
The soundtrack album reached number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first soundtrack album in history consisting entirely of previously released songs to top the chart. The album topped the Billboard Top Soundtracks chart for 11 consecutive weeks and 16 weeks in total.
As of April 2017, it has sold over 1.75 million copies in the United States alone, and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album was the US’s second best-selling soundtrack album of 2014, behind Disney’s Frozen.
Tracklist:
- Hooked on a Feeling (Blue Swede)
- Go All the Way (Raspberries)
- Spirit in the Sky (Norman Greenbaum)
- Moonage Daydream (David Bowie)
- Fooled Around and Fell in Love (Elvin Bishop)
- I’m Not in Love (10cc)
- I Want You Back (The Jackson 5)
- Come and Get Your Love (Redbone)
- Cherry Bomb (The Runaways)
- Escape (The Piña Colada Song) (Rupert Holmes)
- O-o-h Child (Five Stairsteps)
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell)
