Kurt Russell as Ego the Living Planet in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2

Things We Saw Today: Kurt Russell Reciting “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Will Never Leave Us Now

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Last night, Comic Book held another fun Quarantine Watch Party with the cast and crew from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It was a night filled with behind the scenes info from the likes of James Gunn, Chris Pratt, and many more friendly faces, and an entertaining way to revisit the movie. I haven’t really watched Vol. 2 that frequently and to go back and see my favorite little “triangle-faced monkey” (Rocket Raccoon) growing as a character alongside his friends was refreshing and nicely distracting.

But one thing I completely forgot about (how, I’ll never know) was the fact that Kurt Russell (who plays the villainous Ego) dramatically recites a verse from Looking Glass’s 1972 song “Brandy, You’re A Fine Girl” in the film. Not an outrageous moment by any means normally, there is something about the scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that refuses to lessen its hold now that I’ve witnessed it again. I can’t stop thinking about it and rewatching today.

Let me explain: The movie opens with Ego (Russell) falling in “love” with Peter Quill’s mother. The two are singing “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” while driving around in a convertible and we, from context clues, know they’re going to get down to some romantic shenanigans. That’s just the way of the world, my children.

But never did I think that “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” would have such importance (or be carved into my mind this way). Later in the film, Kurt Russell talks through the lyrics of the song for … a bit too long, while having an incredibly awkward conversation with his son. I’m not saying he says one lyric and that’s it. He speaks pretty much an entire verse and chorus of that song and you just sit there and kind of can’t look away. It’s mesmerizing.

Revisiting this moment last night? I realized that I’m a fully changed because of this scene. It’s just one of those moments where you think back on it and there is a clear divide. Pre-Kurt Russell talk-singing “Brady, You’re A Fine Girl” and Post-Kurt Russell talk-singing “Brady, You’re A Fine Girl.” Some movie moments alter you as a person and you weren’t even fully aware of it until you’re exposed to them again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfl–RolwOw

It was also incredible that Kurt Russell was part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and no one knew that better than those who worked on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The cast and crew throughout the watch party continued to talk about filming with Kurt Russell and what it meant to get to work with him on set.

So now that we are all fully new people in this Post-Russell reciting Looking Glass world, we’re all better for it.

(image: Marvel Entertainment)

And what else did we see today?

  • The stars of Doctor Who spent time together (remotely of course) and it was delightful! (via io9)
  • Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, and Shia LaBeouf all star in a movie together. That’s it, that’s the news. (via Collider)
  • Let’s take a look back on Ahsoka Tano’s Star Wars story (via Vanity Fair)
  • Joe Biden doesn’t need Louis C.K.’s money (via Huffpost)

Anything we missed out there today, Mary Suevians? Let us know in the comments below!

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Rachel Leishman
Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is an Assistant Editor at the Mary Sue. She's been a writer professionally since 2016 but was always obsessed with movies and television and writing about them growing up. A lover of Spider-Man and Wanda Maximoff's biggest defender, she has interests in all things nerdy and a cat named Benjamin Wyatt the cat. If you want to talk classic rock music or all things Harrison Ford, she's your girl but her interests span far and wide. Yes, she knows she looks like Florence Pugh. She has multiple podcasts, normally has opinions on any bit of pop culture, and can tell you can actors entire filmography off the top of her head. Her current obsession is Glen Powell's dog, Brisket. Her work at the Mary Sue often includes Star Wars, Marvel, DC, movie reviews, and interviews.