For its upcoming cover story on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Empire magazine has released new photos from the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The cover features a shot of the whole team, which now includes newcomer Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and former enemies Yondu (Michael Rooker) and Nebula (Karen Gillan).

Though Yondu and Rocket are facing off in the first photo, director James Gunn has previously stated that these two would form an unlikely bond now that Rocket has lost his best friend.

Star-Lord and the team have clearly discovered something surprising. This looks similar to the scene in the trailer where they meet Ego for the first time.

Speaking of Ego, Kurt Russell was cast based on a suggestion by Chris Pratt to Gunn.

“I started writing for Kurt as I was finishing the screenplay,” Gunn recalls. “I would have been really disappointed if he’d said no.”

After watching the first film, Russell understood why Gunn wanted him for the part.

“Fifteen minutes in, I said, ‘I think I see why they’re coming to me…’” said Russell. “The baggage I bring from some of the movies I’ve done is the right kind of baggage to bring into this one.”

Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and Kurt Russell, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 bursts into theaters May 5.

Source: Empire