The standard narrative in the run up to Guardians Of The Galaxy, the latest blockbuster release by Marvel Studios, is that it's something of a gamble. Nobody - not the man on the street, not your average fanboy - has even heard too much about them and this movie is a comic book adaptation of a comic barely anyone has read. Additionally, the cast is made up of a supporting cast member from a sitcom, a raccoon, a tree, a wrestler, and a Na'vi from Avatar painted green instead of blue. Oh, and it's directed by a guy better known for B-movie genre fare and the soundtrack is full of seventies soft rock instead of bankable chart hits. Strangest of all, however is its tenuous connection to the grand Marvel Cinematic Universe. Part of the genius of the studio's approach so far has been telling a slowly unfolding and interconnecting story with each movie, all coming together with 2012's record breaking Avengers Assemble. The two films that have followed that - Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier - are following a similar pattern, putting things in place for Avengers sequel Age Of Ultron. Guardians Of The Galaxy does not do that: it barely takes place on Earth so Cap, Thor and Iron Man don't get a look in, let alone a mention. This film seems totally disconnected from the rest of the MCU, the world that audiences have been coming back to again and again. Look a little closer, however, and you'll realise that Marvel are being very canny once again: for amongst this gonzo sci-fi adventures there are the seeds of things that will become a big part of their movies in the next decade. You just need to know where to look. Luckily, we know exactly where to look, so here are ten ways Guardians Of The Galaxy sets up some exciting new things for the future of the Marvel films.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
