James Gunn Sets the Record Straight on Kraglin’s Scene in Guardians

James Gunn has put an end to a long-standing rumor about a key moment in the original Guardians of the Galaxy film. Fans have often speculated that a particular scene, where Kraglin appears to stifle a laugh as Yondu mocks the Broker, was the result of an unscripted, spontaneous reaction. However, Gunn has now clarified that this was not the case.

Behind the Scenes of a Fan-Favorite Moment

In a widely shared video clip, Yondu, played by Michael Rooker, and Kraglin, portrayed by Sean Gunn, confront the Broker in search of information about the Orb, which holds the Power Stone. When the Broker fails to provide answers, Yondu begins to taunt him with nonsensical speech. The clip suggests that this exchange was improvised, leading to Kraglin breaking character and suppressing a smile.

Gunn responded directly to these claims, writing,

Nope. Both Yondu's mocking and Kraglin suppressing a smile were scripted.

He went on to explain that the moment was carefully planned and not the result of an actor losing composure on set.

How the Scene Was Crafted

Gunn further revealed some technical details about how the shot came together. He shared,

But what is true is I shot the closeup of Sean in pickups because I didn't grab one on the day and I needed a cutaway. So he was actually in front of a blue screen for that shot and we comped in an empty plate of the background from the day. So, yeah, hardly 'breaking character.' When you hear about 'reshoots' these are usually the types of things my team is doing.

This insight sheds light on the filmmaking process, showing that what appears spontaneous on screen is often the result of meticulous planning and post-production work.

Gunn’s Journey Beyond Marvel

After wrapping up the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy for Marvel Studios between 2014 and 2023, Gunn has taken on a new role as the head of DC Studios. He directed last year’s Superman, a major box office hit, and is set to return for Man of Tomorrow, a follow-up focusing on Superman and Lex Luthor, scheduled for release in 2027.

Looking ahead, Gunn’s next project in the DC Universe is Supergirl, starring Milly Alcock from House of the Dragon as Kara Zor-El. The film is slated to hit theaters on June 26. For those eager to see what’s next in the DCU, there’s a full lineup of upcoming movies and shows on the horizon.