Is Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 The Last One?

The upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 might actually be the last one of its kind in the MCU. The third Guardians of the Galaxy films is set to debut in movie theaters on May 5th. It’s been a bit of a long-time coming as Disney had previously fired director and writer James Gunn in 2018. He shortly went over to the DCEU to revitalize The Suicide Squad and develop Peacemaker but was brought back for the MCU film when key cast members passionately defended him. Funnily enough, from that shakeup DC Comics found one half of their new CEOs for DC Studios.

While it will be Gunn’s final hurrah in the MCU, there’s plenty of exciting things to look forward to. Particularly, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will introduce audiences to two highly anticipated actors in their MCU debut. Peacemaker’s Chukwudi Iwuji is playing the sadistically intelligent High Evolutionary, and Will Poulter is finally bringing Adam Warlock to the big screen after getting teased in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. In picking up from The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, the third film will showcase the beloved team of heroic rogues struggling to remain intact in the wake of crossing paths with these two incredibly dangerous, cosmic powerhouses.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Is The Last One With The Current Team

Peter Quill and the Guardians holding Quill int he GotG 3 trailer

Unlike the franchise’s other key cornerstones who all will be continuing on in their own way, the Guardians are approaching the conclusion of their story in the MCU according to Gunn. This doesn’t mean that they’ll all die in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, although soem surely will meet their ends. Whether from death or the culmination of their arc, the film will lead to several members of the Guardians of the Galaxy leaving the MCU. In particular, the premise and trailer suggest that Rocket might not make it out alive. Drax the Destroyer is also a possible causality as Dave Bautista has been upfront about departing.

Gunn and the cast have relayed that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will feel different from the previous installments. This is shared by fellow Phase 5 film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Both are concluding their respective trilogies, which have been largely comedic, but they’re doing with deeply compelling serious tones. It’s interesting to consider how Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s conclusion will push forward the critically multiversal narrative, if at all. While the team’s time might be over, their legacy must still live on, and surviving members will surely feature in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars when the time comes.

This May Not Be The MCU's Last GOTG Movie

Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers team up in Infinity War

This teams ending may just be the beginning for a new Guardians of the Galaxy team. Frankly, from a business perspective, it doesn’t make sense for Marvel to completely end the Guardian’s tenure. Guardians of the Galaxy was the MCU’s biggest risk - doing a big film about a team casual fans probably had never heard of - but it turned out to be one of their greatest hits. Marvel Studios and Disney are unlikely to want one of their biggest franchises to end, so the Guardians may simply evolve, like Captain America, with a new trilogy of Guardians of the Galaxy films.

Following the Multiverse Saga’s conclusion in Avengers: Secret Wars, the MCU could be looking to the cosmos or other alternate dimensions like the Negative Zone for their next big threat. That could mean Galactus, Korvac, or Annihilus, all of whom who have extensive history with the Guardians in the comics. Therefore, the MCU would be lacking in their storytelling by not centering on the Guardians in those situations.

Prominent members like Phylla-Vell, Moondragon, Major Victory, and Jack Flag have yet to appear in the MCU. They could be part of the next generation of Guardians with any of those left behind. Alternatively, the MCU could follow the original comics team that they teased in one of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s post-credits stingers. They could even take some time and go with one of the more recent line-ups - one led by X-Men’s Kitty Pryde and another by Nova. Fortunately, feasible options are plentiful. Most importantly, however, should Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 really spell the team’s end, the MCU’s future would feel incomplete without them.

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