Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is set to close the book on the current iteration of its eponymous team of space-faring misfits, capping off one of the most successful trilogies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After a lengthy and troubled production, the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie is finally set to hit theaters in May, acting as James Gunn’s MCU swan song in light of his new position as the creative head of the DCU. As such, the upcoming sequel will bring many characters’ story arcs to a permanent conclusion, though it may not be the end of the Guardians of the Galaxy as a franchise.
James Gunn’s teases of Guardians 3‘s many deaths have resulted in plenty of speculation regarding which members of the beloved team will meet their end in the upcoming film. Consequently, several actors, including Dave Bautista, who portrays Drax, have confirmed their MCU exit will coincide with Guardians 3‘s release. While Gunn and Marvel Studios have been candid about the film marking the end of the current iteration of the team, there have also been hints that the Guardians of the Galaxy may live on nonetheless. If a new team is assembled for future films, there are several characters who would be perfect to lead the new Guardians of the Galaxy.
Adam Warlock
After missing Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Adam Warlock is finally about to make his MCU debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, perhaps signaling his long future with the titular team in upcoming films. With Will Poulter playing the powerful synthetic being, it is clear that Marvel is setting the character up for major future storylines, though the specifics of such remain unclear. However, the timing of Adam Warlock’s debut is perfect to see him take a leadership role in the next iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy. His high power level and connection to the team have already set up his leadership role in future films.
Nebula
Guardians 3 will likely finish Nebula’s redemptive arc, finally showing her true transformation from a supervillain into a bonafide hero, but this shouldn’t be the end of her time in the MCU. Nebula’s redemption has been one of the most compelling elements of the Guardians films from the very beginning and must be allowed to continue into a long career of superheroics throughout the galaxy. Already an experienced Guardian, Nebula could be persuaded to lead the next group of misfits to join the team. More importantly, she already represents the core premise of the Guardians: that anyone can become a hero, no matter what their past might be.
Stakar Ogord
With 2023 marking the end of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, the MCU may have already set up a worthy successor–or perhaps, predecessor–to take the place of the beloved team in the form of Stakar Ogord’s Ravagers. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Sylvester Stallone’s character was revealed to have led his own team, not unlike the Guardians, which included Yondu Udonta, Aleta Ogord, Martinex, Charlie-27, and Mainframe. With this team already in existence in the MCU, it would be easy for the franchise to shift focus to their exploits, either past or future. The confirmation that Stakar will appear in Guardians 3 only amplifies this exciting possibility.
Captain Marvel
While typically depicted as a leader of the Avengers, Captain Marvel may actually have a future with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Carol Danvers actually had a short stint on the team in the comics, proving that Marvel is not averse to including established Avengers in its Guardians of the Galaxy lineup. Moreover, Danvers is about to undergo a lesson in leadership in The Marvels, where she will head up a trio of superheroes that includes Kamala Khan’s Ms. Marvel and Monica Rambeau’s Photon. After leading a space-based team-up, Captain Marvel would be more than prepared to become the team leader of the new Guardians of the Galaxy.
Nova
Rumors that the superhero Nova would join Guardians of the Galaxy 3 have been persistent ever since the film was announced, and while chances of him joining the sequel in a major capacity are incredibly low, he may yet be a part of the team’s future iteration. Nova’s MCU debut is inevitable and, given the character’s popularity, will likely come before the Multiverse Saga’s conclusion. The hero is often associated with the Guardians in the comics and would already be connected to the MCU team, tracing his origins back to Xandar. While Nova may not make Gunn’s Guardians, he could have a larger role in the team’s next generation.
Mantis
Recently revealed to be the daughter of the Celestial Ego, Mantis is more powerful than anyone realized, setting her up to take a meatier role in future MCU films–and in the Guardians of the Galaxy lineup. Having served as a Guardian for many years, Pom Klementieff’s Mantis is the perfect character to carry on the team’s legacy with a new array of space-faring misfits. She also appears to be one of the few members of the Guardians safe from meeting a grisly death in their upcoming film, as The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special indicates that her story in the MCU is only just beginning.
Quasar
Though not yet introduced to the MCU, one Marvel superhero may see his live-action debut in the near future, with rumors that William Jackson Harper will appear as Quasar in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The supremely powerful comic character is not well known to general audiences, making him a perfect addition to the band of misfits known as the Guardians of the Galaxy, giving viewers a chance to get to know the obscure superhero. Quasar has even had dealings with the team in the past, wherein he proved his loyalty as a Guardian of the Galaxy and his potential as its future leader.
Starfox
Harry Styles’s Eros, otherwise known as Starfox, may have been introduced as a future member of the Eternals’ MCU team but could have a brighter future as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Though Harry Style’s future as Eros has been called into question given Eternals‘ mixed reception, the actor deserves to get his chance at portraying the popular superhero. As a former leader of the Dark Guardians of the Galaxy in the comics, Eros could shift from the Eternals franchise and instead head up the new team that takes over in the stead of Gunn’s original characters after the end of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3.
