Despite being almost completely unknown before their MCU debut in 2014, the Guardians of the Galaxy have emerged as one of the most popular heroes. Director James Gunn has put his own stamp on the family of intergalactic outlaws in two solo installments, and he’s set to continue that journey soon Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and a Disney+ Holiday Special.
The Guardians have proven to be an integral part of recent MCU history, as Zoe Saldana’s Gamora and Karen Gillan’s Nebula have had close ties to Thanos and the ending of the Infinity saga. Now the Guardians will soon be returning for their first appearance in Phase 4 Thor: Love and Thunderwho was recently seen taking off into space with the God of Thunder.
With Gunn making the jump to DC The Suicide Squad and peacemaker, volume 3 was promised to be the end for the Guardians of the Galaxy when their MCU journey ends.
As fans, cast and crew prepare to say goodbye to the beloved Guardians, Chris Pratt shared his own thoughts on leaving the MCU.
Chris Pratt getting emotional over MCU exit
During a recent interview with Men’s Health, Star Lord actor Chris Pratt had some emotional comments about how he’s preparing to leave his MCU role Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Pratt emphasized his desire “Try hard to be in the moment” and get it right. The actor went on to share his take on how his MCU tenure compared to Russell Wilson’s time as quarterback for Pratt’s home team, the Seattle Seahawks:
“You want to be aware and try really hard to be in the moment. Like, that goes away. I want to record it. You can’t take it any harder than just being present. So I’m present. The other day Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was traded to Denver. He’s been with Seattle for about ten years. That was about the duration of it. I said, ‘Wait, wait, what happened?’ The emotions of the last ten years are somehow coming to an end. I was like, in the most embarrassing way, ‘My quarterback is leaving, so I’m going to cry.’ In moments like that, it hits me.”
Discussing his future in Hollywood, Pratt insists he doesn’t have a ten-year plan as he’s unsure “what’s next:”
“I don’t really know what’s coming next. You asked if I consciously and intentionally turn a page or not. The tide is turning. Whether I want it or not. Because the franchises are over.”
Miscellaneous Guardians of the Galaxy Actors have previously shared their own thoughts on leaving the MCU behind. Gamora’s Zoe Saldana told Screen Rant that it’s a “bittersweet moment” to complete the trilogy, but it is her and the entire cast “very grateful to have lived this journey together:”
“I have to say we are dealing with a lot of adversity which is COVID and planning and things like that. But when we’re there we have such a wonderful time, you know? It’s a bittersweet moment because it’s our understanding that these will be the final Guardians of the Galaxy. So in that sense it’s bitter but it’s sweet because we’re all very grateful to have lived this journey together and James Gunn really gives us a beautiful ending and this story is really compelling. I think it will be the best yet. We have a lot of fun, but then again, making a Guardians film just isn’t easy. There’s a lot of action. There’s a lot of dust. There’s a lot of makeup, endless hours of makeup, but the end result is so worth it.”
Nebula actress Karen Gillan told CinemaBlend there is one “a feeling of closing a chapter”, also describes the finale as a bittersweet moment:
“I think we took it to a whole new level this time. And you know, maybe there could be a sense of closing a chapter, so it’s a little bit bittersweet in a way. But I think everyone upped it for this one.”
Before Pratt delivers his MCU departure, Star-Lord and the Guardians will appear Thor: Love and Thunder and The Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special.
Is this a farewell for the MCU’s Guardians?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 was marketed as the end of the current iteration of the cosmic MCU team, but will that prove to be the case? The cast and crew have been consistent in their loyalty to one another and shared a lack of interest in returning without each other, and with director James Gunn seemingly determined this to be his last MCU project, this could be the end of the road.
The third entry in the trilogy will be the seventh appearance of the intergalactic heroes, a tally that rivals Chris Evans’ Captain America save for post-credits scenes and guest appearances. The Guardians will have taken the lead in a solo trilogy, joining the Avengers to complete the Infinity saga, along with Thor for love and thunderand even starred in a Disney+ Holiday Special.
While the end appears to be near for the Guardians, which will no doubt be emotional for fans, there is still much more work to be done for the team in the MCU. The cast and crew may have wrapped up the franchise, but the team will be featured soon Thor: Love and Thunder before returning for the Holiday Special later in the year and starring in their epic finale next summer.
In the future, Marvel Studios may look to continue the legacy of the franchise through a new team of heroes under the same name. After all, there have been many iterations of Guardians of the Galaxy over the years, leaving the doors wide open for more adventures to come.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hits theaters on May 5, 2023.
Apr 9, 2022