Will Harry Styles’ Starfox Appear In GOTG 3? James Gunn Responds

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director James Gunn has categorically shut down the rumors that Harry Style's Starfox will be appearing in the upcoming film. Now officially part of Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is coming to theaters on May 5, 2023. It is the first film to exclusively focus on the title team since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in 2017, though the characters have appeared in 2018's Avengers: Infinity War and 2019's Avengers: Endgame, as well as making a cameo in the recent theatrical release Thor: Love and Thunder, briefly appearing to play opposite Chris Hemsworth's Thor.

The film will follow on the events of Endgame, with Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) still processing the death of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), or at least the Gamora that existed alongside him in his timeline. Saldaña will still appear in the film playing the role of a younger Gamora who was brought forward in time. The rest of the Guardians team will also be appearing, including Drax (Dave Bautista), Groot (Vin Diesel), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Nebula (Karen Gillan), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff). While the specifics of the plot and who will be the true villain of the film remain unknown, the story will follow through on the promise of a post-credits scene in Vol. 2 featuring Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) unleashing the all-powerful Adam Warlock (Will Poulter).

Because so many details of the film are still in the dark, rumors have been swirling that Styles would be appearing in the film as his character Starfox (also known as Eros), as teased in the post-credits scene of 2021's Eternals. During an interview with Extra TV, Gunn was asked if the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 rumors were true, and he shut them down immediately. He said, quite simply, "nope." Read his full quote below:

Nope! I’m setting the record straight. Starfox doesn’t pop up, nope.

Part of the reason that these rumors have been swirling is the fact that there were some huge reveals about the future of the MCU at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 last weekend. Many new titles, including Captain America: New World Order and Marvel's Thunderbolts, were put on the schedule. However, there was no listing for an Eternals 2, which would have been the obvious re-entry point for Styles' character. Considering the fact that Eros is Thanos' brother and Guardians characters Gamora and Nebula are Thanos' adopted daughters, Vol. 3 seemed like the most obvious place to slot him in before his likely appearance in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2025.

Unfortunately for fans who are eager to see the ex-One Directioner in action, it looks like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is emphatically not that place. However, there are plenty of ways for the Eternal to pop up. Another Marvel project that was teased in the end credits of Eternals was Blade, starring Mahershala Ali, and since that is now on the schedule for November 3, 2023, that could certainly be a viable option. There could also be room for him in the upcoming The Marvels, which features the character Captain Marvel, whose space-faring ways could make it easy for them to come into contact.

Next: Who Is Eros? Thanos' Brother Explained (Powers, Origin & MCU Future)

Source: Extra TV