Michael Rooker Talks ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

01 Aug, 2014

He may have been killed off, twice, in The Walking Dead but Michael Rooker is back with a vengeance in the latest comic book-turned-movie adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy.

Rooker reprieves the role of Yondu Udonta, one of the original Guardians, when the comic book began in 1969. During a telephone interview with The Trending Report Rooker says it’s the role of a lifetime. “This is the most fun, exciting, cool piece that I’ve ever been involved with and I think the fans are going to go ape shit over it! They’re going to love it!

“It’s the kind of movie that you’re going to want to see more than once” Rooker continues, “It’s quite rich and rewarding.”

On screen, Yondu Udonta leads a band of smugglers and bounty hunters. Peter Quill who’s played by Chris Pratt rises within the ranks until he stumbles into founding the Guardian’s himself.

As Rooker put it, “I’m an intergalactic kind of guy and I’m in charge of this whole rapture group of intergalactic people that go around the universe and galaxy doing whatever the hell they please and taking whatever the hell they want.  I’m kind of a parental figure (to Chris Pratt’s role) so I guard him so he’s able to survive and thrive in this rough environment.”

The relationship between the two offers depth to the movie as well as highlights Rooker’s knack for mastering dimensional roles.  There may be more to his blue skin, red eyes and metal mohawk than we think.

“There’s all sorts of cool inner play” Rooker said. “I think people are going to get what’s going on and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Rooker definitely enjoyed reuniting with director James Gunn who wrote the part specifically for him. “We both are a bit off the wall. He’s a little bit crazy. I’m a little bit crazy.  We blend together quite well. We would make a great stand up team” Rooker said of Gunn.

Moreover, Guardians of the Galaxy is a chance to live out childhood fantasies that may have meant a little more to Rooker. “I really enjoyed comics when I was growing up because I had a bit of dyslexia so reading was tough for me. The panels and graphics in comics helped me a lot.  Being a part of Marvel movies is like a dream come true.”

“I had an awesome run as Merle Dixon in The Walking Dead” Rooker says, of a role that instantly became a fan favorite despite the character not being a part of the comic.

“I’m more popular now as Merle Dixon than I was when I was actually on the show” Rooker says. “I go to conventions and people are nuts over Merle. They love that crazy not knowing what’s going to happen Merle Dixon guy. You didn’t know if he was going to smack you or hug you.”

It’s a far cry from Rooker’s roll as Jared Svenning in the 1995 colt classis Mallrats. Rooker chuckles at the memories. “Every single time I see a fan and they’re laughing when they say hello, I know why. And I also know why they’re reluctant to shake hands.” Pretzel anyone?

B. Owusu

Mentioned In This Post: @Michael_Rooker