L to R: Drax, Groot, Starlord, Rocket, and Gamora

Marvel has posted a series of short videos on its YouTube channel to follow up the premiere of the first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy. Each video features one of the members of the group with a few words from the actor describing the role. The shorts are light on new footage or plot details but are still very informative for those unfamiliar with the characters.

First up is Chris Pratt as Peter “Starlord” Quill, a wannabe dashing rogue who relies on brains rather than superpowers when in a tight spot. He has the lightest rap sheet of the so-called Guardians despite being the leader.

Next, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, an assassin “with a heart of gold” and adopted daughter of Thanos (the guy from the tag in The Avengers credits).

“I basically am Drax,” says Dave Bautista. Drax the Destroyer has sworn revenge on Thanos for killing his family.

Vin Diesel sounds very excited to portray Groot, a tree-like being who accompanies Rocket.

And finally, the trailer for Rocket gives us a brief chance to hear Academy Award Nominee Bradley Cooper as the voice of a space-racoon with a machine gun. Director James Gunn calls Rocket “the heart of the movie in a lot of ways.”

As Cooper and Diesel both mention in their respective videos, Guardians of the Galaxy represents something new for Marvel, a space adventure-comedy rather than a traditional superhero film. The shift in genre plus the obscurity of the source material could make Guardians the biggest risk for Marvel Entertainment since The Avengers. We here at mxdwn Movies have high hopes for this movie and we will get to see how it turns out on August 1.