Is Mantis Heading to Guardians of the Galaxy?

A new report suggests that Pom Klementieff will be playing Mantis in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

Yesterday, word broke that James Gunn’s much anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 had added French actress Pom Klementieff to its cast in an undisclosed role. Today, Deadline has an update, suggesting that Klementieff will be playing the comic book character Mantis in the May 5, 2017 release.

Created by Steve Englehart and Don Heck, Mantis made her first appearance in 1973’s Avengers #112, but her story turned out to be even bigger than the Marvel Universe itself!

As a girl, Mantis (who tends to refer to herself as “This One”) was raised under the tutelage of Kree priests, who believed that one day she would give birth to the “Celestial Messiah,” the single most important being in the entire universe. Exceptionally skilled in martial arts, Mantis was also give telepathic powers by the Kree. When she turned 18, however, Mantis was encouraged to experience a regular human existence. Her memory was wiped and she was sent to Earth where she later met the Avengers and even, for a time, joined their ranks.

Part of what is particularly fascinating about Mantis is that Englehart continued the character’s story throughout the multiverse. Under the moniker of Willow, Mantis actually appeared in the Distinguished Competition‘s Justice League of America #142 in 1977! 

“This one has come from a place she must not name,” she tells the Justice League in the issue, “to reach a place no man must know.”

Mantis went on to appear in an Eclipse Comics publication as a character named Lorelei. Since then, however, Mantis has been featured quite a bit back in the Marvel comics continuity.

Klementieff previously appeared in Spike Lee’s Oldboy. Her other big screen credits also include such films as Loup (2009), Sleepless Night (2011) and the upcoming Hacker’s Game (2015).

The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 cast will once again feature Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper as unlikely heroes who must team up in order to defeat a cosmic force of epic proportions.

Are you happy to hear that Mantis may be appearing in the MCU? Let us know in the comments below!

(Photo Credit: FayesVision / WENN.com

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