In the final leg of the journey, our beloved bunch of misfits take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride with Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3. The last instalment of the trilogy has enough and more surprises in store for you. Chris Pratt, the charming Star-Lord/Peter Quill, and James Gunn, one of the biggest filmmakers in the superhero universe, have been constants in the Guardians franchise for almost a decade. In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, Chris and James speak about their latest Marvel adventure, the longevity of superhero films and their take on Indian cinema.

James: My feelings are the same as theirs and probably multiplied by a hundred. It was a beautiful experience to watch the story come together. We have completed it in a way that’s true to ourselves and the creative process. But it was also sad since it was the last time I would be working with these characters (Peter, Rocket, Groot, Nebula, Gamora and Mantis), at least for some time. That’s a bittersweet feeling. I am so grateful for the entire experience, and I am happy. Chris: I am grateful to James for giving me this opportunity (hugs the director).

James: So many American spectacle films are based solely on the history of American films. One of the things that I love about Indian cinema is that you all don’t have all these set rules like American films do, and that has been a great inspiration for me. The Guardians movies are not only comedies, but also dramas and musicals. They also have action and adventure, and we don’t hold back with anything. I am a huge fan of Indian and Asian cinema (Japanese, South Korean, Hong Kong). They inspire me more than anything else.

Chris: I agree. I was excited to see that the Best Original Song at the Oscars this year went to an Indian number (Naatu Naatu from RRR). Watching the dancers perform to that song live was extraordinary. It was a nice moment to appreciate how the borders between films from various countries are dissolving. Cinematic language is global. Indian films are now performing outside their massive fan base in India. I love Indian cinema. It’s fun, it’s whimsical. It never takes itself too seriously but is also not afraid to take itself too seriously in the same movie. Shifting tones and to be able to go from a joyous, fun choreographed dance number to a very heartfelt melodramatic moment – I feel that’s very special.

James: That really depends on the filmmakers. If movies are just about explosions and pyrotechnics and not about characters first, or don’t have a heart or a story, then superhero fatigue could be a real thing. The audience will eventually feel tired. However, if we focus on the characters and the story first, we can have superhero films as long as we want, like any other genre, like the western or musicals. If the movies are good, the audience will show up. If the movies are not good, they won’t.

Chris: Superhero names might be an impetus for studios willing to spend a lot of money on these films. But just because you have a studio that has a great deal of money to invest in a title, if you don’t start ground up and create extraordinary characters and tell a story that’s fantastic, regardless of the title, then you are pretty much doomed. It’s fantastic that people like James (Gunn) are going to contribute to these films that are grounded and are good quality movies.