Avengers: Infinity War was a long time ago. Thor: Love and Thunder didn’t have much of our favourite rag-tag bunch of space heroes. And many might have missed the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney+Hotstar (though we suggest you give it a watch before heading to the movie theatre this Friday onwards). So we have put together everything you need to know, remember and ponder on before watching James Gunn’s last film for Marvel — Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Where are the Guardians?
Post-Infinity War, Peter Quill aka Star Lord, Rocket, Groot, Drax, Mantis and Nebula travelled with Thor across the universe, having many adventures. That’s until they decided to part ways in Thor: Love and Thunder to go defend the galaxy on their own. They have since then made Knowhere their base of operations, which is where Mantis and Drax, with the help of the others, gave Peter a special Christmas gift in the form of Kevin Bacon in the holiday special.
What’s happening with Gamora?
A younger version of Gamora came back after the reverse snap, a version without any memory of Peter or the Guardians. It has been confirmed that she is now a badass leader of the Ravagers and that some of the Ravagers will have a role to play in the new movie, along with Gamora. Michael Rosenbaum as Martinex and Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord have been confirmed for GOTG Vol. 3.
There are two new members on team Guardians
We didn’t see much of the team in Thor: Love and Thunder but it did introduce us to two new members of the crew — former Ravager Kraiglin and the dog Cosmos. They played a significantly larger role in the holiday special as well and we can safely assume that they will have a part to play in GOTG Vol.3.
Peter and Mantis are related
For those who haven’t watched the holiday special, this might come as a surprise but it turns out that Peter and Mantis are siblings. Remember Ego from Vol.2? Peter’s douchebag dad, who had very many offspring with very many creatures across the galaxy? Well, turns out Mantis, who we thought was his servant, is one of them. And don’t worry, both Peter and Mantis are delighted to find out this connection.
Rocket will have a central role
If you’ve watched the trailer, you’ve already figured out that the movie will dive into Rocket’s past and trace the origin of our favourite space mercenary. We are going to meet Rocket’s creator, the High Evolutionary, possibly the big baddie of the film. We are also going to meet Lylla, an anthropomorphic otter and a past associate and love interest of Rocket.
Adam Warlock makes an appearance
Finally, Adam Warlock is getting his on-screen debut after having been hinted at in GOTG Vol.2 when Sovereign leader Ayesha mentioned creating a new being called Adam to take revenge on the Guardians. Now if on screen Adam is as powerful as his comic book avatar, then it is bad news for the Guardians.
Not everyone will make it out alive
GOTG Vol.3 will wrap up the adventures of favourite space mavericks and as such will be a more sombre and serious affair than the other two. With James Gunn moving to DC to whip them into shape, it is his last goodbye. Dave Bautista is also exiting the Marvel Cinematic Universe and what we’ve seen from the trailers, Drax might not make it out alive. No one knows as yet but we feel that things might go darkly for Mantis and Nebula too. So GOTG Vol. 3 might just be the end of the Guardians as we know them.
