The Guardians Of The Galaxy Scenes That Made James Gunn Cry

In dealing with world-endangering threats and supervillains of all varieties, there aren't always that many opportunities for levity in much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That's where the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise comes in, providing plenty of laughs in addition to hard-hitting superhero action. The titular group is something akin to a family, meaning they take the opportunity to pick on one another, bicker amongst themselves, and more, even in the face of grave danger. In keeping with the familial dynamic, the two Guardians films have supplied a fair share of tear-jerking moments both positive and negative, making them some of the most heartfelt in the entire shared universe.

This phenomenon occurs because of the strengths in the film's writing and its endearing cast. Audiences can recognize that a group of actors in costumes and makeup bring the Guardians to life, but they become involved in their fictional lives nonetheless — feeling for them as if they were real. For those behind the camera, establishing this connection to the story and characters can prove much more difficult. Access to a film's inner workings hijacks the illusion, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the intended escapism. 

However, that's not to say the finished product can't elicit emotion from the crew, as evidenced by director James Gunn's claim about which Guardians of the Galaxy scenes made him cry.

As he tends to do from now and again, James Gunn recently answered a few fan questions via his Twitter page. One submission in particular from user @Big_Low125, who mentioned a comment Gunn previously made about how the writing process for the impending Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 brought him to tears. They asked him if the same held for the previous two movies in the trilogy and, if so, which sections cause such extreme emotional distress. Honest as ever, Gunn replied with a very straightforward answer, confessing that, "I cry all the time while writing."

He then goes on to list some examples from prior Guardians of the Galaxy adventures. "I definitely cried when Yondu told Peter he was his father in Vol 2 & when Rocket gave in to being pet by Drax," he revealed, citing two of the series' most impactful moments. Yondu (Michael Rooker) — having treated Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) coldly for his entire life — finally telling him he thought of him as a son, just before his demise, was incredibly powerful. Additionally, the often cynical and feisty Rocket (Bradley Cooper) allowing Drax (Dave Bautista) to pet him following the death of Groot (Vin Diesel) in Vol 1. was a watershed moment for his character. It marked the transition from him being a loner to a budding team player.

"I get teary just writing those moments now – but I cried many other times too," Gunn concluded, leaving everyone to timidly wonder how Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will one-up its predecessors in the waterworks department.