By Rudie Obias | 7 years ago

With Guardians of the Galaxy hitting theaters this August, Disney and Marvel Studios will do whatever it takes to build the brand from the ground up. TV spots and trailers can only do so much, so Marvel might be planning on launching a new animated series for Disney XD. It’s probably the best way to get kids into the theaters to watch the live-action version this summer.

According to Comic Book Movie’s inside sources, the outlet is confirming that Marvel was considering a new animated series with Guardians of the Galaxy. While Marvel editor Stephen Wacker wrote about a “hypothetical” animated series in the letters’ section of issue #4 of the reboot comic book series, there were no rumors about the proposed animated series until now. Wacker was talking about a possible animated series with writer Brian Michael Bendis back in July 2013.

A Guardians of the Galaxy animated series makes a lot of sense. The team has appeared in popular episodes of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series. If Marvel wants to build the Guardians‘ name, creating a new animated series directed at the live-action film’s target audience is the best possible approach.

It would also be a good way to introduce story elements from Guardians of the Galaxy to a new audience. Marvel introduced the “Age of Ultron” storyline in the second season of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes animated series, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that The Avengers live-action sequel film is also from the “Age of Ultron” narrative.

Disney and Marvel recently released the official synopsis for the Guardians movie, which give more credence to rumors that the film will involve the pursuit of an Infinity Gem. Marvel also released the film’s first production image, which features the team of outlaws in full costume.

The space adventure follows Peter Quill, a half-human/half-alien who is the target of a manhunt after he steals a mysterious orb from Ronan the Accuser. To help him get away from the Kree Empire, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a group of disparate misfits — Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Groot, and Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill learns of the orb’s true “power,” he must rally his new team of rivals to save the galaxy from a mysterious new threat.

The new Marvel movie stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Benicio del Toro, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, Michael Rooker, Olivia Lovibond, John C. Reilly, and Glenn Close. Guardians of the Galaxy hits theaters everywhere on August 1, 2014, in 3D.

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Ultimate Spider-Man are on Netflix Instant. Both episodes are in season two of their respective series: episode six, “Michael Korvac,” for the former; and episode 18, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” of the latter.