Guardians of Light: Forces Together

Guardians of Light: Forces Together (known as Guardians of Light 2: Forces Together in other territories) is an animated action-adventure fantasy film. It is the sequel to Olympic Mascots: Guardians of Light. The film is produced by Josh0108 Films, Alibaba Pictures, Warner Bros. Animation and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. This is based on Kaylamagical2453's (DeviantArt)/Jordka001 (Fandom) fanfiction of the same name.
Guardians of Light: Forces Together was released in theatres on July 19, 2024. It received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with many deeming it an improvement over its predecessor. It grossed $126.7 million worldwide on a $40-55 million budget.
== Synopsis ==
Flamuna has returned, but she is not alone, so the Olympic and Paralympic mascots are sent on another mission. Through the MascotVerse, they encounter the FIFA World Cup mascots, who had been sent from their MascotVerse to team up with the Olympic and Paralympic mascots. The two find themselves on Beach City, and soon find out they have to team up with the Crystal Gems to once again save the universe.
== Plot ==
A voice called out to the defeated Flamuna, It was Infinmenti and Nithya, her cousins, and Adara, her sister. Flamuna awakens and has amnesia, but after Infinmenti helps her remember what happened, She swore revenge on the Guardians, with her family and a new gem named Red Spinel, they form an alliance to defeat the guardians and take over the universe.
Meanwhile, The Guardians were still traveling in the portal, until another portal opens beside, them the FIFA World Cup Mascots appear. The mascots are started by their appearance. They explain that they had found a portal in their MascotVerse, but overheard that the Aurora Rings had recruited them to support the Olympic and Paralympic mascots. Vinicius realized that the Olympic and Paralympic mascots must have their own MascotVerse, which explains how the FIFA World Cup mascots ended up in their portal. Eventually, the portal leads them to Beach City, where the Crystal Gems live. The mascots were surprised that they were teaming up with the Crystal Gems. They went and introduced themselves. The next day, as The Guardians and The Crystal Gems were getting to know each other better, Aliz and Pearl partook in a sword fight, Adelene, Colin and others sang songs, The Phryges showed the other mascots their skills, and Tom and Amethyst had a bike race. Vinicius and Steven were flying through Beach City and Vinicius showed off a few flying tricks. Steven noticed that the Beach City Funland was on fire. Vinicius looked at the fire and noticed a familiar figure standing in the blaze. Vinicius identified that the figure was Flamuna, and he was angry at her because she survived the events of the previous film. Flamuna introduces Steven and Vinicius to the other goddesses. Vinicius and Steven fought the goddesses, when out of nowhere, Infinmenti shot an arrow at one of Vinicius's legs. Steven then heals Vinicius, and they decided to head back to the beach to warn the others.
Vinicius and Steven told the others that Flamuana had returned, and everyone but the Crystal Gems and FIFA World Cup mascots were in shock. Vinicius told the others who Flamuna was. A blast of fire happened and the goddesses appeared. Everyone apart from Garnet, Wenlock, Vinicius, and Tom ran into the temple. Wenlock persuades that he, Vinicius and Tom fuse, and they agree. They fused into Trinity, and battle the goddesses, while Garnet watches on. Meanwhile, Steven frees Heinrinchite, a male gem who was in the rebellion before the events of the story.
== Cast ==
=== Main Cast ===
*Jeremy Shada as Vinicius
*Zach Callison as Tom, and Steven Universe
*Estelle as Garnet
*Deedee Magno-Hall as Pearl
*Michaela Dietz as Amethyst
*CCH Pounder as Flamuna Tenenra
*Nika Futterman as Infinmenti Tenenra
*Lauren Lapkus as Red Spinel
*Grey Griffin as Adara Tenenra
*E.G. Daily as Nithya Tenenra
*Molly Quinn as Angel Stella
*Zooey Deschanel as Adelene
*Jonah Hill as Colin
*Jake Cherry as Heinrichite,
*Thomas Middleditch as Wenlock
*??? as La'eeb
*JoJo (singer) as the Olympic Phryge
*Lorraine Bracco as the Paralympic Phryge
=== Additional Voices ===
*Alison Brie as Crystal Sun
*Rachel Weisz as Aliz
*Channing Tatum as Alex
*Mackenyu as Miraitowa
*Kimiko Glenn as Someity
*Joey D'Auria as Izzy
*John Lavelle as Misha
*Tom Kenny as Nanjinglele
*Tara Strong as Merly
*James Arnold Taylor as Sam The Olympic Eagle
*Ryan Gosling as Quatchi
*Jordan Gavari] as Sumi
*Wang Leehom as HuanHuan
*John Kim as Soohorang
*Isaac Andrews as Zabivaka
== Production ==
Production started in June 2021, and wrapped up in May 2024.
The director of the first film, Peter Ramsey did not return, as he was busy with other projects. Another director, coincidentally involved with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse; Rodney Rothman, replaced him.
== Release ==
Guardians of Light: Forces Together had its world premiere at Le Grand Rex in Paris, France on July 9, 2024, and the film was released on July 19, 2024 in 2D, 3D, RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema, IMAX and 4DX formats, a week before the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The film was originally set to be released on Max, but was changed to a theatrical release in September 2022, in line with Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav’s focus on prioritizing theatrical releases over streaming releases.
The film was expected to be pushed back beyond July 19, 2024 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, but Warner Bros. denied this would happen as Guardians of Light: Forces Together was contractually obligated to release before the 2024 Summer Olympics.
===Release dates in other countries====
*France - July 17, 2024
*Australia and New Zealand - July 18, 2024
*United Kingdom and Ireland - July 24, 2024
===Marketing===
The marketing budget is expected to be around 4/5 than what was spent for Olympic Mascots: Guardians of Light.
===Trailers===
Trailers were released on December 13, 2023, February 28, 2024 and May 15, 2024 respectively.
* The trailer released on December 13, 2023 was shown before Wonka, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Migration, The Boys in the Boat, Mean Girls, Soul, Madame Web and Turning Red.
*The trailer released on February 28, 2024 was shown before Dune: Part Two, Kung Fu Panda 4, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Luca, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Unsung Hero and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
*The trailer released on May 15, 2024 was shown before IF, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, The Garfield Movie, Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4.
====Partners====
Warner Bros. will partner with more than 10 licensing and promotional partners to market the film, including:
=====Global=====
*Wendy's (Kids Meal promotion; 8 toys)
*Moose Toys (toys)
*Jamba Juice (5 promotional smoothies and waffle bowls)
=====North America=====
*Ferarra Candy Company (promotional packaging)
*Punchbowl (promotional greeting cards and digital invitations)
== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
In the United States, Guardians of Light: Forces Together was released alongside Twisters in over 4,000 theaters, and is projected to gross around $20-40 million in its opening weekend. It is expected to finish third in the domestic weekend, between Despicable Me 4 and Longlegs.
===Critical response===
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a 73% approval rating based on 135 reviews (53 fresh, 45 rotten) with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Despite its unusual crossover and it sharing many beats from its predecessor, Guardians of Light: Forces Together provides yet another smorgasbord of action and heart." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 118 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
==Songs==
The singer Estelle performed a new song for the film called "Stronger", which will be shown during the end credits.
*First Trailer -
*Second Trailer -
*Third Trailer/Credits Song- "Stronger" - Estelle
Category:PG
Category:Films
Category:Crossovers
Category:Crossover films
Category:Animation
Category:Warner Bros. films
Category:Fantasy
Category:Action/Adventure
Category:Flash Animation
Category:Olympics
Category:FIFA World Cup
Category:Steven Universe
Category:Warner Bros. animated films
Category:Film scores by Rupert Gregson-Williams
Category:2024 films