Ever since the first Guardians of the Galaxy, fans have been left with one burning question: who is Peter Quill’s father? The roguish antihero, played by Chris Pratt, never found out the answer but audiences learned that his parentage was highly unusual. Speculation abounded that the character might be such well-known Marvel characters as Adam Warlock, Starhawk, The Beyonder and even The Collector, but all of those popular fan theories turned out to be false.
Because we just learned at Comic-Con 2016 that Star-Lord’s father is actually… Ego, the Living Planet.
Yeah, that one came out of left field. Or out of the left side of the galaxy, anyway.
Marvel Comics
Also: The Cast of ‘MST3K’ Reveal Their Favorite New Jokes (Exclusive Comic-Con Video)
In the comics, Ego the Living Planet was one of the stranger creations of frequent collaborators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. He’s a planet with a personality of its own, and a face for that matter. Over the year’s he’s been a force for good and a force of destruction, often absorbing other planets to make himself stronger. Multiple storylines have involved Ego the Living Planet being driven mad for one reason or another. Also, Ego the Living Planet has a brother called “Alter-Ego,” but come on, that part’s just silly.
Ego the Living Planet will be played by Kurt Russell in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and writer/director James Gunn had a lot of thoughtful things to say about this unexpected development on his Facebook page.
“Yeah, his dad is a planet,” James Gunn writes. “Sort of. It will all be explained in the film.”
“But to me, this is the absolute center of Vol. 2, and one of the reasons I’ve been so excited about it. When Marvel first approached me with the first movie, I thought, ‘Wait a second? A talking raccoon? Isn’t that a rather ridiculous idea to base a movie around?'”
“It was then that I took a step back and asked myself: Okay, if a raccoon could talk, and shoot a machine gun, how could that be? And answering that question ended up being the entire foundation of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1. There was a sadness in the answer. Rocket was an animal experimented upon, torn apart and put back together, without compassion. He was the only being of his type, had never known any hint of kindness, and was utterly and completely alone until he met his fellow Guardians. And, one of them in particular – Groot – thought it was worth sacrificing his life for his sake. This melancholy and beautiful undercurrent helped to ground the character for me. He had far more in common with Frankenstein’s monster than he did Bugs Bunny. And I related to him, greatly, and I hoped other folks who felt like outsiders would as well.”
“Ego seemed, in many ways, like an even more ridiculous character. But I asked myself, if a planet was alive, how could that be? And how could it father a child?”
“The answers to those questions took me to a far deeper place that I expected. I don’t want to give away too many answers at this time. But what Nova Prime said about Peter’s father at the end of Vol. 1 is certainly true – he is something ancient and unknown. And, as we will discover, being a cosmic being, alone for eons, is perhaps even more lonely than being the universe’s sole talking raccoon.”
“I can’t wait for you guys to see Kurt Russell bring this character to life onscreen. It has been a rapturous experience creating Ego with him. We have both pushed ourselves as far as we can go in making him real, and grounded, and emotionally centered.”
James Gunn went on to promise “countless more surprises” to fans of the first film, some of whom may be surprised that after all that build-up, Peter Quill’s father would be revealed nearly a year before the film’s release date on May 5, 2017.
The very bizarre revelation is perhaps to be expected from James Gunn, whose odd ideas have usually blossomed into memorable – and in the case of Guardians of the Galaxy, very lucrative – motion pictures. I can’t wait to see how this pans out. What about you?
William Bibbiani (everyone calls him ‘Bibbs’) is Crave’s film content editor and critic. You can hear him every week on The B-Movies Podcast and Canceled Too Soon, and watch him on the weekly YouTube series Most Craved, Rapid Reviews and What the Flick. Follow his rantings on Twitter at @WilliamBibbiani.
The Best Cosplay from Comic-Con 2016
Top Photo: Marvel Studios
Comic-con 2016 Cosplay
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images) -
Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 24: Festival goers in cosplay attend Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: A cosplayer poses for a photo during Comic-Con International 2016 on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayer dressed as Black Widow from Avengers attends during Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: A Costume Cosplay Attendee attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Araya Diaz/GC Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Pac-Man and Ms Pac-Man cosplayers attend Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International 2016 on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International 2016 on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: A costumed fan attends Comic-Con Preview Night on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/FilmMagic)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: General view of the atmosphere at Comic-Con Preview Night on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/FilmMagic)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Cosplayer Pinky Powers attends Preview Night at Comic-Con International on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/FilmMagic)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: A cosplayer poses for a photo during Comic-Con International 2016 on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A Harley Quinn cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: A cosplayer poses for a photo during Comic-Con International 2016 on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Actress Valerie Perez cosplays at Comic-Con International 2016 on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A silver surfer cosplayer at Comic-Con International 2016 on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Cosplayer Pink Deadpool attends Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Street Fighter cosplayers attend Comic-Con International on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: Fans dressed in Star Wars themed costumes gather for a group photo at Comic-Con International 2016 - Day 2 on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/FilmMagic)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Festival goers in cosplay attend Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 22: A cosplayer dressed as a character from "The Walking Dead" attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 22, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: A cosplayer poses for a photo during Comic-Con International 2016 on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: A cosplayer poses for a photo during Comic-Con International 2016 on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: A cosplayer poses for a photo during Comic-Con International 2016 on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Festival goers in cosplay attend the Warner Bros. Presentation during Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 23: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 24: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 24, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 24: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International 2016 on July 24, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 24: A cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 on July 24, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images,)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Cosplayer attends Preview Night at Comic-Con International 2016 on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Batgirl cosplayer Jessica Chancellor attends Comic-Con International 2016 preview night on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 preview night on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International 2016 preview night on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: A Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: A Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayers attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayer attends Comic-Con International on July 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2016 Cosplay
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 21: Cosplayers attend Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images,)
