Until Marvel Studios announced that they were adapting the comic into a movie, I had never heard of Guardians of the Galaxy, and I say that as a cinema/geek enthusiast, so for casual film fans, it's going to be even more true. Prior to Marvel starting the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's fair to say that a large portion of viewers had heard of The Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Iron Man, even if only in passing, but the same cannot be said for these characters. If The Avengers were all home-run comic book properties, Guardians is more of a cult project, having nowhere near the same level of commercial success as the above, and as a result, featuring characters that the majority of film fans couldn't even begin to name. There is little brand recognition to the casual audience, and given that they account for most of Marvel Studios' revenue, it is an important demographic without which the film will surely flop.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
