After James Gunn’s Marvel Exit, ‘Guardians’ Cast Speaks Out on Fourth Movie
Marvel Studios closed a major chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2023 with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the third and final film in director James Gunn’s trilogy. The movie not only concluded the story of the core team but also introduced a new roster of heroes poised to carry the cosmic saga forward.
The Guardians have always occupied their own corner of Marvel history. The earliest version of the team dates back to 1969, when Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, and Arnold Drake introduced a group featuring characters such as Yondu Udonta and Vance Astro.
Nearly four decades later, the concept was reimagined for modern readers in “Annihilation: Conquest #6” in 2008 by writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. That lineup included Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Phyla-Vell, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Adam Warlock, with connections to characters such as Nova, Mantis, and Cosmo the Spacedog. This interpretation ultimately served as the foundation for the team audiences would later see on screen.
The Guardians made their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut during Phase Two with Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), directed by James Gunn. Led by Peter Quill, the unlikely band of intergalactic heroes quickly became one of the studio’s most successful and beloved franchises.
The story continued with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), while the characters later crossed into the wider MCU in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Several members also appeared alongside Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) before the trilogy reached its conclusion in 2023.
The cast of the trilogy features Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Zoe Saldaña as Gamora, Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Vin Diesel as Groot, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri, and Karen Gillan as Nebula.
Supporting performers include Maria Bakalova as Cosmo the Spacedog, Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha, Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord, Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary, Daniela Melchior as Ura, Michael Rosenbaum as Martinex, and Linda Cardellini as Lylla.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 first premiered globally at Disneyland Paris on April 22, 2023, followed by its North American debut in Los Angeles on April 27. The film opened in several international territories on May 3 before arriving in U.S. theaters on May 5, where it quickly attracted significant audience attention.
Marvel Studios has not announced a fourth film. Vol. 3 was widely framed as a farewell to the core Guardians, concluding storylines that had been building across nearly a decade of MCU storytelling. Still, comments from members of the cast suggest the door may not be completely closed.
At Emerald City Comic-Con, Comic Book Resources spoke with actors Pom Klementieff and Sean Gunn, who portray Mantis and Kraglin Obfonteri, about whether a fourth installment could eventually happen. “I don’t know,” Klementieff said. “We never talked about a Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4. It was always imagined as a trilogy.”
Sean Gunn offered a similar perspective, suggesting that any continuation would ultimately come down to Marvel Studios and the creative team behind the project.
“In some ways, it’s almost like a little above my pay grade. It’s like, if they decide to do it, if they decide that they can put the pieces together and get the right cast, and get a script that they really like and that works, then it would depend on who wrote that script and who was putting it together.”
“And by that point, there would probably already be somebody who was part of it, so I don’t know,” the MCU and DCU star said.
James Gunn’s involvement with the franchise concluded with Vol. 3. The filmmaker has since moved to DC Studios, where he now serves as co-CEO alongside Peter Safran under Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Their first DC slate, titled “Gods and Monsters”, began with Gunn’s upcoming Superman (2025) and will continue with Supergirl (2026), directed by Craig Gillespie.
Although the trilogy concluded the main storyline, the film’s mid-credits scene teased a new generation of Guardians ready to continue the mission. The sequence confirmed a refreshed lineup that could headline future adventures if Marvel chooses to revisit the franchise.
The new Guardians team includes Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Adam Warlock, Cosmo the Spacedog, Kraglin Obfonteri, and Phyla-Vell.
Rocket Raccoon
After surviving the High Evolutionary’s pursuit, Rocket takes on a new leadership role. Several longtime members have gone their separate ways, and Rocket is selected to guide the next era of the team.
The character was created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen and first appeared in “Marvel Preview #7” (1976). Rocket is widely recognized for his technical expertise, sharp humor, and skill as both a pilot and weapons specialist.
Groot
Groot also remains part of the lineup. The MCU has depicted multiple versions of the character, from the original Groot to the fan-favorite Baby Groot. The mid-credits scene shows yet another evolved form of the towering tree-like hero.
Groot first appeared in “Tales to Astonish #13” (1960). Originally introduced as an alien invader in the comics, the character was later reimagined as a heroic figure capable of regenerating and reshaping his wooden body into tools and weapons.
Adam Warlock
Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock joins the team following his introduction in Vol. 3. The character debuted in “Fantastic Four #66-67” (1967), created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as a being called Him.
In the MCU, Warlock is engineered by Ayesha and initially sent to capture Rocket on behalf of the High Evolutionary. After turning against his creators, he ultimately assists the Guardians in the film’s final battle. His abilities include flight, superhuman strength, and powerful energy projection.
Cosmo the Spacedog
Cosmo the Spacedog also becomes part of the updated roster. Maria Bakalova voices the telepathic canine, who made her MCU debut in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022).
The character originated in “Nova #4” (2008), created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. Cosmo is portrayed as a Soviet space dog who gains psychic abilities after exposure to cosmic radiation.
Kraglin Obfonteri
Sean Gunn’s Kraglin also steps into a larger role. The character first appeared in “Tales to Astonish #46” (1963), created by Stan Lee, Ernie Hart, and Don Heck.
Within the MCU, Kraglin began as a Ravager serving under Yondu. Following Yondu’s death in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, he inherits the signature arrow weapon and cybernetic fin once wielded by his mentor.
Phyla-Vell
Another addition to the lineup is Phyla-Vell, originally introduced in “Captain Marvel vol. 5 #16” (2004), created by Peter David and Paul Azaceta.
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the character is one of the children created by the High Evolutionary during his experiments to build a perfect society. The mid-credits scene hints at her developing powers when she channels cosmic energy through her fists.
For now, Marvel Studios has not confirmed whether these characters will appear in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) or another Guardians installment. Still, with a new team now established, the possibility of a future Guardians of the Galaxy film remains an open question.
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