by Brett White

With filming nearly completed on "Guardians of the Galaxy," Marvel fans are eager to see the first official photos or footage from the studio's first space epic. But if you're not yet on board with director James Gunn's vision for this ragtag group of heroes, Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso has offered some words of encouragement via his weekly Axel-In-Charge interview over at Comic Book Resources.

"Of course, many of us have read the movie script and seen stuff that hasn't been made public yet, so we know what a treat people are in for," said Alonso. "I knew James Gunn before he was tapped to helm the movie—we've snowballed story ideas for comics—and I can tell you, he is a major talent with a great love and respect for the comic book medium. He is going to knock this movie out of the park."

Of all the previous Marvel movies, Guardians is definitely the least known property with one of the most rabid fanbases. Ever since the team and title's resurrection at the hands of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, comic book fans haven't been able to get enough action from the team that includes a gun-totin' raccoon and a tree that walks like a man. Like Alonso said above, Gunn showed his love for the series by inviting Abnett and Lanning onto the set.

There is a current "Guardians of the Galaxy" comic, one written by superstar writer Brian Michael Bendis with art by the immensely talented Sara Pichelli, and Alonso hopes that the new series will have a beneficial relationship with the film.

"If the series provides a breadcrumb trail that leads readers to the movie, that's great, but our job is to make a great comic book—period. To create great stories featuring Star=Lord, Rocket, Groot and crew for anyone who wants to read them, before or after the movie hits."

"Guardians of the Galaxy" opens on August 1st, 2014.

[via CBR]

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