10 MCU Concept Art Designs Better Than What We Got
3. Steampunk Guardians Of The Galaxy
Bringing Guardians of the Galaxy into the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a risky move. The comics the films are based on weren't exactly mainstream at the time, but James Gunn managed to fashion them into a blockbuster with universal appeal.
The film hit that sweet spot between critical acclaim and box office success, partly because the character designs were so mainstream-friendly and comic booky.
This almost wasn't strictly the case because concept artwork for Guardians presented the team as grungier with a steampunk-esque aesthetic. Star-Lord looks edgier, Groot is monstrous and Gamora is shades creepier, rocking a black cape and hood.
Only Rocket and Drax look anything like the versions that featured in the movie, but were the other final designs necessarily better? They were certainly more Hollywood-friendly, but the steampunk visuals are infinitely cooler.
Presumably Guardians would have been a radically different film had Gunn gone with these aesthetics. The upbeat, comedic tone and mix tape soundtracks wouldn't really fit in with this style, but the movie would have looked more stylish.