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David Bowie was supposed to have a cameo role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, says James Gunn

His song 'Moonage Dream' appeared in the first film

Jack Shepherd
Tuesday 12 January 2016 10:27 GMT
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The sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy will reach UK cinemas ahead of the US
The sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy will reach UK cinemas ahead of the US (Marvel)

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Throughout his life, David Bowie not only performed as iconic characters on stage, he also played them on the big screen. In Labyrinth, he played the Goblin King, a brilliantly bizarre character, while in The Prestige he embodied Tesla.

According to James Gunn, the Starman was potentially going to have a role in his next film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The director took to Facebook to give a heartfelt tribute to Bowie, describing his huge influence on his work as well as how Bowie's music helped him as a young person:

“Just a very short while ago Kevin Feige and I were talking about a cameo role in Guardians Vol. 2, and he brought up Bowie’s name. I told him nothing in the world would make me happier, but I heard from common friends he wasn’t doing well.

“We heard back that he was okay and it could potentially happen. Who knows what that was about? But, for whatever reason, it made my Twitter revelation more of a surprise.”

Gunn added that he had hoped to use another song from the Ziggy Stardust album in Vol. 2, having used ‘Moonage Daydream’ in the first Guardians of the Galaxy film.

“My pop cultural connection to Bowie goes deeper as it was the music that was playing the night I hit bottom on alcohol and drugs as a very young person. I got sober that night, and those songs - ‘TVC15’, ‘Star’, Suffragette City’ - are now deeply embedded in my psyche.

“They all have a frightening, almost-religious context in my personal history. I'll have to save those stories for another time.

“Thank you, David, for all you've given to my life, my relationships, and my career. Thank you most for helping me to make it through high school. Your music let me believe there was something magic out there, I only needed to hold on a few more years to experience it. I'm glad I did.”

Tributes from around the world have been pouring in, with a street party in Brixton attracting hundreds (you can read about that here).

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