‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ Release Date, Trailer, Cast, Plot, and More
BABY ROCKET
Guardians of the Galaxy, the Marvel series following the exploits of Star-Lord and his ragtag band of cosmic misfits, is one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most beloved franchises. It’s got humor, drama, romance, space action—what’s not to love? After the original GotG showed us the formation of the team and GotG Vol. 2 revealed Peter Quill’s secret ancestry as a Celestial, the team got knocked for a loop in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Now, thanks to Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, we finally have details about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the third and final installment in the GotG trilogy. Here’s what we know so far!
The Plot
Marvel fans will recall that in the Infinity Saga, Thanos murdered Gamora in order to get the mind stone, but the version of Gamora from 2014 traveled forward in time and ended up staying there after Thanos’s final defeat. 2014 was before Gamora met Peter Quill and the rest of the Guardians, though, so the Gamora currently gallivanting around the MCU only has the vaguest idea of who Peter is. Thanks to Nebula filling her in on the details, she knows that her future self fell in love with Peter, but given that she’s gone off on her own by the end of Endgame, it’s pretty clear that this Gamora has no interest in pursuing her other self’s relationship.
Before details about the new movie came out, fans speculated that the plot of GotG 3 would revolve around Peter trying to find Gamora. However, according to the trailer that was screened at Comic-Con, Peter has found her! Peter finds out that she’s working with the Ravagers, but when he sits down for a heart-to-heart, he discovers that she’s still not interested in finding out what her other self saw in him. The plot of GotG3 will presumably explore their thorny dynamic.
Another exciting aspect of the plot is its exploration of Rocket Raccoon’s past. At the SDCC Hall H panel, director James Gunn said that the movie will show us baby Rocket’s relationship with Groot. Gunn said that Rocket is “the saddest creature in the universe,” and that Vol. 3 is partly his story. In addition to a baby Rocket being absolutely adorable (I can already smell that delicious merch), Gunn is right about the dramatic potential of Rocket’s past. We’ve seen hints of Rocket’s pathos throughout his time in the MCU, with Peter spying the implants on his back in the first movie and Rocket grieving the (temporary) deaths of Groot and the other Guardians in Endgame, so it’ll be exciting to see more of what makes Rocket tick under his sarcastic exterior.
Some of the actors in Hall H also revealed tidbits about their characters. Karen Gillan said that viewers could “expect some levity from Nebula, but we’re not losing the meanie.” Pom Klementieff said that Mantis would gain more skill and confidence, but she would still be quirky and weird.
Speaking of quirky and weird characters, the Hall H panel also had some exciting cast announcements!
The Cast
All of the Guardians are confirmed to return to Vol. 3, including:
Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord
Zoe Saldana as Gamora
Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon
Vin Diesel as Groot
Dave Bautista as Drax
Pom Klementieff as Mantis
Karen Gillen as Nebula
Along with the core cast, the movie will welcome the following newcomers to the trilogy:
Will Poulter as Adam Warlock
Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary
Maria Bakalova as Cosmo the Space Dog
Finally, there are a few new and returning cast members who are rumored to show up:
Sylvester Stallone as the Ravager Stakar Ogord
Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha, Golden High Priestess of the Sovereign
Sean Gunn as Kraglin
Reynaldo Faberlle as the Behemoth
Olive Raine Cleope as Star Kid
Daniela Melchior in an unnamed role
The Trailer
Although the teaser trailer was shown to the Hall H audience, it hasn’t been released to the general public yet. We’ll post it here as soon as we get our grubby mitts on it!
When Does Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 Come Out?
Now for the bad news: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 doesn’t come out until May 5, 2023. I know! That’s so far away! But at least we’ve got a full slate of Phase 4 and 5 goodies to tide us over until then. Keep checking this page for updates as they come out!
(featured image: Marvel Entertainment)
Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com
