In 2014, Guardians Of The Galaxy will be blasting onto the big screen at a penultimate point in Marvel's Phase 2 saga. "Why the d'ast should I get excited about that?" I hear you asking. Because it's the Star Wars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, that's why! From talking trees to gun-toting critters, Guardians' motley crew offers far more fun and diversity than any of its Marvel Cinematic Universe siblings. These aren't your Avengers - they're the Expendables in space, the anthropomorphic Inglorious Basterds, the Dirty Half-Dozen, the... well, you get the picture. Not your ordinary strike force, the Guardians deal with everything from repairing tears in reality/time, to handling world-conquering cultists. Things rarely go to plan for the team and barely scraping through a mission with their lives in tact is all too common (they are not exactly the types to take it all humbly on the chin, either). The film, then, seems to be geared towards the 2008 reintroduction of the team rather than the original alternate reality team which debuted in 1969. That's a good thing, given a more diverse dynamic and visual flavour. The film also looks to have stripped down and has sidestepped the more convoluted characters, with no mention of Adam Warlock or Quasar. Understandable, given their fairly messy back-stories, although here's hoping there may still be room for supporting team members such as Mantis and Cosmo. Right now, though, the Guardians consist of Star Lord (trigger happy leader), Rocket Raccoon (an evolved mammal with tactical and demolitions expertise), Groot (a sentient tree), Gamora (possibly the toughest female assassin in the universe) and Drax The Destroyer (the Hulk meets Riddick, an ex-human with enhanced biology and combat skills). If that hasn't sparked your interest, I don't know what will. Still, no harm in trying: here are 7 reasons to get excited about Guardians of the Galaxy...