You might recall, like I do, your first sighting of a copy of the new John Williams soundtrack for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, which was released two weeks before the movie was released in theaters.  Before you start the requisite geek-bashing of the prequels, try to recall that back in 1999 we all could not wait to see what Lucas was going to show us, and what could be better than a new Williams score to listen to over and over again?  Isn’t a new John Williams Star Wars soundtrack pretty much the best part of having a new Star Wars film released (yes, he’s signed up to be the galactic composer once again)?  ’nuff said.  But the problem with The Phantom Menace soundtrack that sat in a new stack at the local Fred Meyer?  The title listing included a track called “The High Council Meeting and Qui-Gon’s Funeral.”  Funeral.  Huh?  So all of us who were excited about the new film got a surprise blow.  This new Liam Neeson character wasn’t going to make it out of this one alive.  And that was that.  Note to Williams:  Could you be a little more vague in your titles for the next trilogy?  Just saying.

Most of us didn’t use the word “spoiler” back in 1999, and certainly not like we do today.  We’re not really talking spoilers per se, but if you don’t want to sleuth through a key question about this summer’s Guardians of the Galaxy movie with us, you might want to move along and come back tomorrow.

Fair warning.

Last month at borg.com we reviewed two fun and action-filled Guardians of the Galaxy graphic novels (here) that prepare readers unfamiliar with the characters some details and background of the team’s membership that viewers will soon be meeting on the silver screen.  One key element of the stories is the inclusion of Tony Stark aka Iron Man, who brings the band of misfits into perspective with the rest of the Marvel Universe.  So how will Marvel Studios bring Guardians of the Galaxy, the movie, down to Earth to connect the dots back to The Avengers movies?

So far, Robert Downey, Jr. and filmmakers have denied rumors that Downey will be making an appearance in Guardians.  But what if either (1) they’re holding back for the surprise factor, or (2) we just get an appearance by Iron Man, but not Tony Stark?  In other words, just for fun, why not give us one or more scenes where someone shows up in an Iron Man suit to save the day?  Maybe with a minimal Downey voiceover?

Then a new marketing solicitation hit the inbox this week.

Entertainment Earth has released images of the action figure collection released for the Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

Star-Lord?  Check.

Rocket the Raccoon?  Check.

Groot?  Check.

Gamora?  Check.

Drax?  Check.

Iron Man?   Wait a second.

To be sure, the new action figure set has likenesses for the five main Guardians as they will appear in the movie.  But there is also a Nova figure reflecting the classic comic book look, although the Nova Corps will be in the movie, per the film’s IMDB listing.  But Iron Man?  Are two separate new Iron Man figures just being included because of the comic books?  If you were a kid and got this full set and then went to the movie and didn’t see Iron Man, wouldn’t you cry out “false advertising”?  Maybe.  Or maybe not.

Either way, the new figures look good, and you can find them here.  The build-your-own Groot is especially cool.

One more thing.  If you check out the Iron Man 3 action figure line you’ll find an Iron Man figure with space armor (called “Starboost”).  If you’ve read the Guardians novels, you’ll know that could be relevant here.  Some unintended toy marketing foreshadowing?

And it would be great fun for Downey to show up in the movie, wouldn’t it?

We’ll know for sure once Guardians of the Galaxy hits theaters, August 1, 2014.

C.J. Bunce
Editor
borg.com