12 MCU Characters Who Almost Looked WAY Cooler

4. Mantis

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This closeup was of what Mantis almost looked like. I did this design for Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2. But like Gamora (see my last post) James Gunn (director) decided to simplify their looks. Even though I would’ve loved to see both Gamora & Mantis in these ways I think he ultimately made the right decision. And like my last post, this was done before they cast Pom so I painted up a non- descript Asian face. #mantis #guardiansofthegalaxy #conceptart #costumedesign #digitalpainting #그림 #그림스타그램 #일러스트레이션 #marvel #portrait #marvel #marvelstudios #alien

A post shared by Andy Park (@andyparkart) on Apr 25, 2020 at 8:10am PDT

With the Guardians of the Galaxy an established team, James Gunn's sequel in 2017 added a key new piece to the roster. Introduced almost as Ego's assistant, Mantis had wonderfully strange powers, and a more than unique look to go with them. So much so that Drax went out of his way to tell her how hideous she was several times.

Aside from the antennae, the character's look is completely different to how she was introduced in the comics. For the movie, the design leaned more on the look of a bug, rather than just a human with antennae.

There was a design, before Pom Klementieff was ever cast, that would have gone even more in the direction of the praying mantis for which the character is named. The antennae would have been even more insect like, her colour a more sickly yellow, and the face more textured and almost scaly.

This would have given Drax the Destroyer even more ammo with which to make Mantis feel bad about her appearance.