Marvel Studios has a well-known history of going for some big names in the industry for roles within the MCU. This started off right at the beginning with the star duo of Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Evans as Captain America, and the casting department continued to bring home runs at every turn through the next three Phases as well.
Director James Gunn continued this trend in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, bringing key players like Chris Pratt from Parks & Recreation and Zoe Saldana from Avatar into the mix. This continued in 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 when Gunn cast Hollywood legend Kurt Russell as the film's villain Ego, and fans are already looking ahead to who comes into play for Vol. 3.
According to a recent report, there's one man who wants to be a part of that cast — one who has a unique connection to nearly the entire movie industry.
SIX DEGREES OF MARVEL STUDIOS?
Hollywood legend Kevin Bacon spoke with Esquire about the first time he saw Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy while discussing his role in Cop On a Hill.
In the 2014 MCU movie, Chris Pratt's Star-Lord references Bacon by name when talking about Footloose, which took Bacon by surprise in the moment. The '80s icon had "no idea that [he] was discussed," unable to hold back a laugh as he reminisced on his name popping up in the MCU:
“When I saw Guardians of the Galaxy, I went to see it having no idea that I was discussed. It was an afternoon in New York, I was on 67th Street and went by myself, as I often do.. I was like, ‘Holy shit. They're talking about me. Are you guys getting this?’"
Bacon had collaborated with director James Gunn for 2010's Super, in which he joked about his role, which "was supposed to be played by Jean-Claude van Damme:"
“What I had heard was that my part was supposed to be played by Jean-Claude van Damme. So I'm like, ‘Am I going to take Jean-Claude van Damme’s sloppy seconds? Hell, yeah.’”
To close, Bacon was asked if he would be up for coming back to work with Gunn again in the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Not holding back, he revealed that he would "love the idea:"
“Listen, I love the idea. I would love to be part of that.”
MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF BACON?
Kevin Bacon is an icon in the entertainment industry. In fact, Kevin Bacon is so much of an icon that he has his own fun game dedicated to him that fans know as "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon."
As mentioned earlier, Bacon is already a part of MCU lore thanks to his legendary status via Guardians of the Galaxy. Peter Quill used the 1984 classic to compare Gamora to the entire town of Beaumont thanks to her surly demeanor and her aversion to dancing while they were on Knowhere.
This semi-cameo, along with Gunn and Bacon having worked together more than a decade ago, clearly has Bacon itching to get his dancing foot in the MCU's front door.
With casting and new roles for Vol. 3 still in the air for the time being, it's unclear whether Bacon would be in line for a cameo role or a more substantial appearance. If either comes to fruition, it's obvious that the longtime star is ready for anything that the Marvel and DC directing maestro could throw his way.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 will release in theaters on May 5, 2023.
