Spoiler Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3has finally arrived in theaters, ending the epic journey of the beloved team of ragtag misfits that began nearly a decade ago. Fans have grown to greatly love this group of characters collectively and individually on their adventures all over the MCU, but all good things must end. InVol. 3, we saw the original members of the Guardians of the Galaxy split up like the classic rock bands they so loved, which means this might be the last time we will ever see the team together.Vol. 3was also James Gunn’s last Marvel film, as he’s switching sides, leaving the juggernaut MCU to helm the fledgling DCU.
Fans have already deemedVol. 3the perfect ending for the story of the Guardians. There seems to be no need to tell anything more, especially since the actress for Gamora, Zoe Saldaña, as well as the actor for Drax, Dave Bautista, and Gunn himself have all openly stated thatthey would not returnfor aVol.4. But just becauseVol. 3was the end for Gunn and these actors, that doesn’t mean it should be the end for the Guardians.
There are plenty of reasons and lots of ways that the Guardians can return, and not by means of a reboot. With a whole new line-up, some backstory to flesh out, and the comics to look at, here is why theGuardians of the Galaxyshould continue without James Gunn.
Rocket’s New Guardians
Gunn has always pulled surprises in hisGuardiansfilms. Yondu sacrificing his life to save Quill inVol. 2is perhaps the most memorable in-movie Gunn surprise. Even the enormous success ofVol. 1was a huge surprise for everyone,including Gunn himself, as a comics movie about virtually unknown comics characters by a virtually unknown director, featuring wildly eccentric heroes fighting wacky aliens over magic rocks in what was a relatively grounded franchise at the time, was not expected to be a successful experiment.
Yet, it was incredibly successful. Then forVol. 3, promised to be the emotional finale of our heroes with many actors confirming not to return, following years of speculation about who would die, Gunn shocks the world by killing…nobody!
Now, Gunn’s big surprise with the Guardians after he’s left would be to allow them to continue without him. We’ve seen Taika Waititi and the Russo Brothers use the Gunn’s Guardians perfectly in other MCU films. So, just like Steve Rogers passing the mantle and shield of Captain America to Sam Wilson, Gunn should encourage the Guardians to grow without him.
It would be easy, especially with the new team, helmed by Rocket Raccoon, the name of the Guardians of the Galaxy would continue, and we see Rocket’s team still keeping up the name inVol. 3,we should be allowed to see them keep up the legacy. Rocket himself teased that theGuardians would continue without GunninThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.
In the comics, the Guardians team has changed many times, and the original one didn’t even have Star-Lord in it, so it wouldn’t be unusual for the team roster to change going forward. Marvel can continue Gunn’s style of comedy with a flare and heart with Rocket’s Guardians to continue the legacy established by Gunn.
Related:Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Will Star-Lord Return?
The Asgardians of the Galaxy
For about three years, Thor joined the Guardians of the Galaxy afterAvengers: Endgame, on a quest across the galaxy to find himself after abdicating the throne of Asgard and losing all his family. They grew close inAvengers: Infinity Warand likely closer during those three years. However, Thor parts ways with Guardians inThor: Love and Thunderto be on his own.
But fans were disappointed when they split ways after only seeing together onscreen for fifteen minutes when they spent three years across the galaxy together. Many started calling Thor and Guardians the “Asgardians of the Galaxy,” especially since it’s been confirmed they weresupposed to have a much bigger roletogether. Both The Guardians and Thor are fan favorites, and while we didn’t see them together all that long, we still can.
Related:The Future of the Guardians of the Galaxy After Vol. 3
A Disney+ prequel series set betweenEndgameandLove and Thunderfollowing Thor and the old Guardians on their adventure across the galaxy would probably be a smash hit. It could also work in animation, as we’ve seen withWhat If…?, allowing the series to work around the absence of Bautista and Saldaña.
It could also solve some mysteries in the movies, such as when Cosmo the Space Dog joined the Guardians and how the Guardians acquired Nowhere. It would make up for what we didn’t see for those three years, seeing the legendaryGuardians protecting the galaxywith the Thunderer himself. It wouldn’t have to affect the whole MCU. It would just be fun, in the style of Gunn’sGuardians, with plenty of comedy filled with heart.
TheGuardians of the Galaxyhas so much potential, and while they owe so much to James Gunn for his talent and creativity, they shouldn’t be limited by him. With so much potential (both in story and cash),Vol. 3will probably not be the last time we see the Guardians of the Galaxy.
