The latest Marvel Studios film written and directed by James Gunn closes doors, but at the same time opens new opportunities. Let’s explore the possible future of the franchise, obviously making spoilers about the film.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 precisely because it represents the latest foray of James Gunn (Slither, The Suicide Squad) in the world of La Casa delle Idee apparently seems to suggest a definitive closure of all storyline and the narrative arcs of the various members of the group as children of his creative flair. Throughout the film, the audience is driven to think about this, to an ending for every single story of the Galactic Avengers so as to pave the way, in the future, for other characters.
The conclusion of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (and also the post-credits), however, totally changes the cards on the table, imagining an alternative fate for some of the heroes we have come to know in these 9 years in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Having arrived at this (partial) terminus, it is therefore appropriate to go a little more specifically, trying to imagine – making many spoiler are Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – what will be the next adventure of the most fun and hilarious cosmic team in the Marvel universe.
The farewell of Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista
Even before the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (which arrived in our country on May 3, 2023), we immediately became aware of a very significant detail about two members of the team, through the statements of the key players. If in fact Zoe Saldana, interpreter of Gamorahas made it clear that she wants to explore a newfound artistic freedom after being tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for so long, so too is Dave Bautista (the face of Drax) explained his choice to break away from the character to try new roles in the cinematic world. It was therefore clear that, within the film, there was a closure for the two heroes: we see Gamora returning to the group of Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone), while Drax becomes Knowhere’s new father figure, tasked with raising the children rescued from the High Evolutionary’s clutches. These narrative choices are perfectly in line with what was told by the actors, because the final positioning of the two characters is deliberately generic and passive, with practically no possibility of interaction with the MCU.
MCU, Dave Bautista comments on his farewell to Marvel Studios: “It’s tough, but the time has come”
A pending future for Nebula and Mantis
However, the same clarity of intent does not apply Nebula (Karen Gillan) e Mantis (Pom Klementieff) who, on the contrary, have an uncertain fate. Gamora’s sister, according to what Gunn tells us, becomes the guide of Knowhere, a more prominent role than that of Drax which could suggest a link (albeit minimal) with the MCU, also because Gillan has not explicitly revealed his farewell, not knowing which road Marvel Studios will want to reserve for him. The same fate for Mantis, whom we see abandoning his friends to independently seek his place in the world. A storyline which appears to be even more open than that of Nebula and is in perfect alignment with the claims of the actress, who reiterated that she “failing to imagine playing Mantis with another person (besides Gunn) writing his dialogue”. This clearly implies that the artist totally ignores how his character could evolve, even if without the creator of the Guardians he sees it difficult to return for him.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the opinions of the editorial staff
A new beginning for Star-Lord
In a sea of uncertainty, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) represents the only certain bulwark, the only Guardian of the Galaxy who has an already foreseen place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In fact, just see the post-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to find out that “Star-Lord Will Return”. Gunn’s idea of moving Quill to Earth, where he has the opportunity to meet his maternal grandfather Jason, is a really interesting idea because it links the former leader of the Galactic Avengers to a different dimension than usual: on our planet, the character can collaborate more easily with the superheroes of theMCU, assuming that he can have the most active part of all within Kevin Feige’s cinematic and serial plan. Between a possible dedicated film, an independent television series or some sporadic appearances in the next choral feature films of the Marvel superhero world, theories abound, but the certainty of seeing him again is certainly not to be questioned.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Chris Pratt: “I want to return to play Star-Lord in the future”
Will Rocket’s team be the focus of the MCU?
Finally we come to the passage of witnesses of the film that marks the birth, in mid credits of the cinecomic, of the new group of Guardians of the Galaxy, led by Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and composed by Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), The collar (Sean Gunn), Big(in a gigantic version that is precisely dissimilar from the adult aspect of the father that we saw in Guardians of the Galaxy), the young Phyla-Vell (which plays a very important role in the comics), Blurp e Cosmo (Maria Bakalova). This scene sets the stage, potentially, for new alternate adventures of the Guardians of the Galaxy, with a whole new team ready to defend space. Now, as fascinating and curious as it is to see this team in action, we don’t have absolute certainty that these characters will be central to the MCU. Surely, beyond everything, it is a possibility to be taken into consideration, thinking about the next choral Avengers film on the roadmap, or Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which should arrive in May 2025 in theaters all over the world.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, that’s when filming of the new MCU crossover will start
The Special hypothesis failing Gunn
Putting this solution aside for a moment, which, we repeat, is pure and simple hypothesis as it has not been officially confirmed by anyone, let’s also try to suggest an alternative scenario in which the new Guardians of the Galaxy may not be central within the ‘MCU. One thing is certain (and Pom Klementieff had already highlighted it): with the farewell of James Gunn, it will be difficult to find any other author who has the same attention and intelligence in continuing what was built by film-maker American and, precisely for this reason, to avoid possible qualitative risks, an idea of Marvel Studios could be to dedicate a special medium-length film to the new team (along the lines of theHoliday Special maybe) or some cameo scattered in subsequent films. In this way, among other things, one would not run into any comparison with the artistic philosophy of James Gunn because they would be far too secondary products. It is therefore up to Marvel Studios to choose whether to risk a possible comparison with this trilogy or to try a perhaps less demanding route.