Part of what makes the Guardians of the Galaxy series and the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe so much fun is how unique, fun and wacky the characters can be. This also extends to the villains. After the super-serious Ronan the Accuser in the original film and Ego, a living, freaking planet, in Vol. 2, how will the Guardians of the Galaxy top that when the third installment finally arrives. There are a plethora of cosmic antagonists to choose from, especially if the Fox deal goes through. The Guardians could mix it up with Galactus, The Brood, Annihilus or any number of interesting villains. Ayesha was also set up as a continuing threat in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. But star Chris Pratt has something of a different idea for a villain; one that is oddly specific. Here's his pitch to director James Gunn:
Can the villain in volume 3 be a guy who has a cardboard box full of snakes, yes or no? If no. Then how bout just a handful of snakes and he says, what up wit snakes? And then throws the snakes at us?
Well then, that is definitely... an idea. And hey, maybe if Marvel doesn't eventually get that influx of Fox-owned villains, the Guardians films may have to dip into the snake guy well, but I'm not sure we're there yet. Snakes are definitely scary to a lot of people, and Star-Lord (or perhaps Chris Pratt) suffers from ophidiophobia, but I'm not sure Drax and Gamora will be quite so intimidated. Also, is the real threat the snakes or the guy who is throwing them? And why is the first choice for him to carry them around in a cardboard box? Who is this villain called, Snakeman? Snakeguy? I like that Chris Pratt is willing to compromise on the box though. I think the actor is just worried that people might think the villain overpowered if he has a box full of snakes versus just a handful.
It is clear that Chris Pratt has thought this ridiculous tongue-in-cheek idea out, but it is oddly specific. Like maybe he once encountered a crazy person with a box full of snakes. While I'm not sure this villain would prove a worthy adversary to the Guardians, and visually he would not make for a very exciting character, at least the dialogue is bulletproof. 'What up wit snakes?' That's masterful stuff. I hope Aaron Sorkin and Quentin Tarantino are taking notes.
Chris Pratt's Twitter post calling for this parseltongued villain was jokingly answered by James Gunn, who told him not to spoil by tweeting pages from the treatment. Let the speculation begin. While Chris Pratt should probably stick to acting, he has some time to convince James Gunn of his idea and workshop the character. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is aiming for a 2020 release date, and so far it is one of the only confirmed Phase 4 films. But you won't have to wait two-plus years to see if Groot gets over his teenage angst, as the Guardians will be appearing in May's Avengers: Infinity War to mix it up with Thanos and pay him back for being such a deadbeat dad. Avengers: Infinity War hits theaters on May 4. For all of the biggest movies slithering their way into theaters this year, check out our release guide.
