Almost no Marvel film can do without the famous in and/or post-credits scenes. This also applies to “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”, where two scenes await you.
– Warning: Spoilers for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” follow! –
With “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” the 32nd film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been running in German cinemas since May 3, 2023 – and this is a very special one. Because not only has director and author James Gunn delivered what is probably the most convincing MCU title in a while (see our review), with the work Marvel fans also have to say goodbye to the eponymous troupe around Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). .
At least that applies to the current constellation, because the Guardians will appear in the future in a significantly different composition. This became known in advance when Dave Bautista (Drax) and Zoe Saldaña (Gamora) publicly announced their MCU exits. After this last adventure, Drax will remain on Knowhere as the foster father of the children rescued by the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) and since Nebula also wants to stay there, it is to be feared that we will not see her actress Karen Gillan again either. Gamora, in turn, said goodbye back to the Ravagers, where she has apparently found her family. Mantis, on the other hand, went out alone to find himself, so Pom Klementieff’s Marvel future is currently unclear.
This is what the new Guardians team looks like
However, the two end-credits scenes announced that the Guardians would continue, because the departures were compensated with newcomers. So we see the new troop in the so-called mid-credit scene, which is shown in the middle of the credits, on a barren planet, where they are supposed to protect the local residents from the dangerous fauna. Meanwhile, the new Guardians are made up as follows:
- Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper and played by Sean Gunn) who became Captain after Star-Lord’s departure
- Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) who has since grown into the version we know from the comics as King Groot, recognizable by the crown-like outgrowth on his forehead
- Kraglin (Sean Gunn), the former Ravager who can now control Yondu’s Yaka Arrow with his whistles
- Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), the overpowered antagonist created by the Sovereign, is on the side of the Guardians at the end of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and should still have a lot to learn due to his young age
- Cosmo, the telepathically gifted Soviet dog
- Blurp, Adam Warlock’s fluffy “pet”.
one of the girls rescued by the Guardians from the High Evolutionary who has superpowers of her own – rumored to be the comic book character Phyla-Vell, who even became Captain Marvel at one point
The Guardians should have a good mix of powerful and, above all, entertaining characters in the new constellation presented. It remains to be seen whether they will reach the cult status of the original band; At the moment, however, it is also unclear where we will see the new Guardians again. “Guardians of the Galaxy 4” is possible despite all the departures around James Gunn, who finished his trilogy, but before that the upcoming Avengers films “Kang Dynasty” and especially “Secret Wars” should be the most obvious options.
Star-Lord Returns – But Where?
As is now practically a tradition in the MCU, if there are two scenes in the credits, one heralds the Marvel future and the other is more for amusing fanservice. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” confirms this, because at the very end we are shown in a short scene that Peter Quill aka Star-Lord has obviously moved in with his grandfather (Gregg Henry) on Earth. There, the former space adventurer shovels down cornflakes and chats with his grandfather about mowing the lawn. Incidentally, there is an Easter egg on the newspaper that grandfather Quill reads: Kevin Bacon talks about his trip to space there, a clear allusion to “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special”, which you can catch up on here on Disney+ if you have missed it so far.
To say goodbye, however, there was also an announcement for the further course of the MCU: Star-Lord will return. So Chris Pratt doesn’t fit in with the departures, but stays with the franchise. Where we see Peter Quill next is also currently open. Since he’s currently on Earth, he could theoretically drop by on another project before the Avengers movies, which he’s practically a must-see. We will certainly find out more in the coming months and years. Until then, you can put to the test whether you have kept track of all these Marvel characters:
