When the Galaxy's Guardians
Descended on Hollywood

If you ask me when the MCU really became a force to be reckoned with, I'd say it was when Guardians of the Galaxy premiered. It was a totally different story with a set of characters largely unfamiliar to the general public before the film. And yet, when it came out, everyone loved it so much that it spawned its own successful franchise.

When James Gunn and the cast surprised Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con in 2013, just two weeks into shooting, with the first footage, the crowd went wild, and I think the cast knew then that they had something. Fast-forward to July 21, 2014, at the movie's premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and the hype peaked.

Remember, the movie looked so different and was completely unrelated to the other movies the MCU had released so far (at least, from what we knew). Maybe it was the growing trend of superhero movies at the time, but audiences had no reason, apart from the trailers and great marketing, to be that excited for the film.

And yet, that premiere was one of the craziest I've ever seen. People weren't just excited for Guardians of the Galaxy; some went downright feral to be among the first to see it. I admit I got caught up in the frenzy, too. Besides meeting the cast in person, I was also excited to see the movie that night.

Not too much, though, because I still focused on getting autographs on my movie poster. Even though most of them weren't household names yet, I already knew they were gonna hit it big with this film. I'd seen it happen with other Marvel stars like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth.

I had no doubt Chris Pratt, Zoë Saldaña, Dave Bautista, and more, regardless of how popular they already were, would become even more famous after that night. So I asked them to sign my poster to remember the night when they were just getting started.

It was the perfect time to ask them, too, because the whole cast was buzzing with excitement. They were as nice as could be that night, and they signed every poster I showed them, just like at that premiere on that summer night in 2014.

This cast, however, was different. I've met them multiple times since then, and they remained just as personable. I think the Guardians of the Galaxy became my favorite part of the MCU because of them.

Even at the Avengers movie premieres, specifically Infinity War and Endgame, I always enjoyed seeing the Guardians cast most of all. Some—not gonna say who—even remember me when they see me. Though I think it's because I also saw them at Comic-Cons for panels.