Claim: Drax the Destroyer is part of Marvel comics.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2 is a 2017 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team Guardians of the Galaxy , produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures . It is the sequel to 2014 's Guardians of the Galaxy and the fifteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . The film is written and directed by James Gunn and stars an ensemble cast featuring Chris Pratt , Zoe Saldana , Dave Bautista , Vin Diesel , Bradley Cooper , Michael Rooker , Karen Gillan , Pom Klementieff , Elizabeth Debicki , Chris Sullivan , Sean Gunn , Sylvester Stallone , and Kurt Russell . In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2 , the Guardians travel throughout the cosmos as they help Peter Quill learn more about his mysterious parentage .   The film was officially announced at the 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International before the theatrical release of the first film , along with Gunn 's return from the first film , with the title of the sequel revealed a year later in June 2015 . The film began principal photography in February 2016 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County , Georgia , with many crew changes from the first film due to other commitments . Filming concluded in June 2016 . Gunn chose to set the sequel shortly after the first film to explore the characters ' new roles as the Guardians , and to follow the storyline of Quill 's father established throughout the first film -- Russell was confirmed in that role in July 2016 , portraying Ego , a departure from Quill 's comic father .   Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 2 premiered in Tokyo on April 10 , 2017 and was released in the United States on May 5 , 2017 , in 3D and IMAX 3D . It has grossed $ 797 million worldwide , making it the third highest-grossing film of 2017 and also outgrossing its predecessor . The film was praised by critics for its humor , soundtrack and cast , but was deemed not as `` fresh '' as the original . A sequel , Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3 , is being developed with Gunn returning to write and direct .