James Gunn has recently revealed that there were several Guardians of the Galaxy spinoffs planned for the MCU prior to his departure, and it’s possible these, and others, could still be produced by Marvel Studios. Filmmaker James Gunn joined the MCU to write and direct 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy in Phase 2, and produced two more feature films and a Special Presentation for Marvel before departing to become co-CEO of the new DC Studios. The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise is one of the MCU’s strongest, and it could continue in some exciting spinoffs.
✕ Remove Ads
In a recent conversation with Josh Horowitz on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, James Gunn revealed more about his plans with Marvel Studios before his controversial firing in 2018. James Gunn confirmed that there had been plans for spinoffs focused on the Ravagers, Rocket and Groot, and Chris Pratt’s Legendary Star-Lord. While Gunn’s departure from Marvel Studios may have doomed these planned Guardians of the Galaxy spinoffs, it’s possible they can still be developed without him, and several other MCU spinoffs may have also been perfectly set-up.
8 Groot & Rocket’s Origin Story
Groot & Rocket’s Origin Wasn’t Explored In The MCU
Close
✕ Remove Ads
Guardians of the Galaxy introduced Bradley Cooper’s Rocket Raccoon and Vin Diesel’s Groot already deep into their partnership. While 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 explored some of Rocket’s backstory, his and Groot’s first meeting and their early adventures before founding the Guardians of the Galaxy team have never been shown on-screen. James Gunn revealed on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast that showing Groot and Rocket’s meeting was the original plan for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and while Marvel Studios urged this to be changed, this origin story could still be explored.
In an exchange on Threads in July 2023, shortly after the premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, James Gunn confirmed that Rocket and Groot’s origin story has already been storyboarded. It’s possible Marvel Studios could adapt it for the MCU, showing a young Rocket imprisoned with Groot and the robotic Tibius Lark in a deep well, with Rocket and Groot escaping thanks to the former’s creation of a weapon from Lark’s body. This would be a fantastic story to explore after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 put so much focus on Rocket’s history.
✕ Remove Ads
7 Adam Warlock
Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock Debuted In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Close
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 finally introduced Adam Warlock, one of Marvel’s most powerful cosmic superheroes, into live-action, with Will Poulter debuting as a child-like version of the god-like character. Adam Warlock’s debut in the MCU, particularly this younger version, creates some exciting opportunities for the franchise’s future, as Adam could become one of Marvel’s central heroes. That is, of course, should he be confirmed to be returning after Vol. 3, which neither Marvel Studios nor Will Poulter has yet announced.
✕ Remove Ads
|
New Guardians of the Galaxy Member |
Actor |
|---|---|
|
Rocket Raccoon (Captain) |
Bradley Cooper (Voice) |
|
Groot |
Vin Diesel (Voice) |
|
Kraglin Obfonteri |
Sean Gunn |
|
Cosmo the Spacedog |
Maria Bakalova (Voice) |
|
Adam Warlock |
Will Poulter |
|
Phyla |
Kai Zen |
|
Blurp |
Dee Bradley Baker (Voice) |
It would be great for a future MCU project to focus on Adam Warlock, whether that be as a separate story to his current career as a member of the new Guardians of the Galaxy team, or in a prequel explaining more about his birth and actions before meeting the Guardians. The former seems more likely, as this creates the chance for Marvel to focus on a more heroic Adam Warlock. This could see him learning how to control his incomprehensible gifts, and coming to terms with his origin as a product of the High Evolutionary and the Sovereign.
✕ Remove Ads
6 Nebula & Drax Lead The New Knowhere
Knowhere Is The Guardians Of The Galaxy’s Headquarters
Close
At the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the original Guardians team members went their separate ways, setting up a number of enticing spinoffs. While Rocket and Groot remained on the team, with the former being promoted to Captain, Nebula and Drax decided to stay on Knowhere to help build and lead the new society formed from the saved refugees and creatures from the High Evolutionary’s laboratory. This was a beautiful development in Nebula’s MCU story, as she completed her transition from villain to hero, and Drax was able to fill his father-figure role again.
Related The MCU Has Never Been Closer To Solving A 10 Year Old Guardians Of The Galaxy Mystery
An unexpected new Marvel project sets the MCU up for a perfect explanation for one of their universe’s longest-running and strangest mysteries.
Posts1
✕ Remove Ads
With so many new beings and creatures now residing on Knowhere, which also functions as the Guardians of the Galaxy’s own headquarters, there are huge opportunities for stories set there in the MCU’s future. Nebula and Drax leading a new society, or another story set in this new community, would be amazing to see in live-action, perhaps as a more grounded Disney+ series. This could even center around Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary, who was detained on Knowhere after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, allowing this exciting villain to return to the MCU.
5 Gamora & The Ravagers
Gamora’s Variant Joined The Ravagers After Avengers: Endgame
Close
✕ Remove Ads
Avengers: Endgame somewhat reversed Gamora’s tragic end in Infinity War by bringing her 2014 variant into the MCU’s present day and allowing her to survive Iron Man’s snap during the Battle of Earth. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 revealed that, instead of rejoining her Guardians teammates, the earlier version of Gamora joined the Ravagers. James Gunn has already confirmed that a Ravagers-focused project was planned before his departure from Marvel Studios (via ComicBookMovie), so it’s possible this story could still be the focus of a new spinoff.
I always thought the Ravagers would be a great show. Whether that was with Sly Stallone’s Ravagers or even more in-depth with just the pirates and what they were doing. I told Kevin Feige that when he first visited set when we were on the Ravagers ship for Guardians 1, I said, ‘We should make a Ravagers show.’ He said, ‘If this movie’s a hit you can do whatever you want.’ Still no Ravagers show, so I don’t know what happened.
✕ Remove Ads
One of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s end-credits scenes teased the exploration of a Ravager team comprising Stakar Ogord, Martinex, Charlie-27, Aleta Ogord, Krugarr and Mainframe, inspired by Marvel Comics’ original Guardians of the Galaxy team from the 1960s. Several of these characters returned as Gamora’s new family in Vol. 3, so it would be great to see their story and their relationship to Zoe Saldaña’s Gamora be explored further. Saldaña has noted that she likely won’t return as Gamora, but has expressed her desire to see a new actor assume the role.
4 Mantis’ New Adventure
Mantis Is On Her Own After Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Close
Nebula and Drax were not the only members of the original Guardians of the Galaxy to leave the team at the end of Vol. 3, but Pom Klemetieff’s Mantis also decided to depart. Instead of staying on Knowhere, however, Mantis chose to leave completely, setting out on new adventures by herself, away from the influence of Ego and outside the Guardians of the Galaxy support network. Mantis’ mission of self-discovery is brave and exciting, and the perfect set-up for a spinoff starring Klementieff alongside her three new Abeslisk friends.
✕ Remove Ads
Related “Dude, Whatever, I’m Totally OK With Whatever You Do”: Chris Pratt & Other Guardians Of the Galaxy Actors’ MCU Futures Addressed By The Director That Oversaw Their Success
James Gunn discusses the Guardians of the Galaxy’s future after his departure from Marvel and explains how much influence he has on the characters.
Posts1
There has been speculation that a future Mantis-centric spinoff could explore her seminal Celestial Madonna storyline from Marvel Comics, which saw her become one of the most important characters in the Marvel Universe. Mantis has shown her ability to lead a project, as she was one of the main characters of 2022’s The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special alongside Dave Bautista’s Drax. It would be great for Mantis to see development as an individual hero in the MCU, as she saw little attention in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, but certainly deserves more.
3 The High Evolutionary’s Backstory
Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary Is A Formidable New MCU Villain
Close
✕ Remove Ads
The High Evolutionary, introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, is one of the MCU’s most terrifying, sinister and interesting new villains. Chukwudi Iwuji deserves to return as the High Evolutionary, perhaps developing him into an even more significant threat in the MCU or expanding on the villain’s rich backstory. The High Evolutionary was revealed to be an extraterrestrial being from an undisclosed world who visited Earth in the 1980s and carried out countless experiments on creatures across the universe, so there is a lot for Marvel Studios to explore.
In Marvel Comics, the High Evolutionary was originally the human Herbert Edgar Wyndham, who took an interest in the work of genetic biologist Nathaniel Essex, the future Mister Sinister, as a student in the 1930s. James Gunn has confirmed this is not the villain’s backstory in the MCU.
✕ Remove Ads
Marvel Comics’ High Evolutionary is directly involved in the lives and origin stories of many iconic characters, including Adam Warlock, the Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Thor, the Fantastic Four and X-Men villain Mister Sinister, among others. It would be brilliant to see these connections hinted at or established in the MCU, especially with the Fantastic Four and the X-Men set to debut very soon. The High Evolutionary’s survival following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has been confirmed, so he is perfectly primed to return in a much-wanted spinoff.
2 Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 4
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Perfectly Set Up A Sequel
Close
Perhaps the most obvious spinoff that the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has set up for the MCU’s future is simply another sequel. James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy came to an end with 2023’s Vol. 3, and the director has noted that a possible sequel likely wouldn’t adopt the Vol. 4 title. However, it’s very possible new Guardians of the Galaxy movies could be developed for the MCU, especially after Vol. 3’s mid-credits scene marked the establishment of a new Guardians of the Galaxy line-up, including Rocket, Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo, Adam, Phyla and Blurp.
✕ Remove Ads
With several new additions alongside mainstays Rocket and Groot, it would be great to see this new Guardians of the Galaxy team get some development in the MCU’s future. A possible Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4 would be the perfect place for this to happen. Since the Guardians of the Galaxy is one of Marvel’s most successful and profitable groups, it would be a mistake to ignore them simply because James Gunn has moved to DC, though the future of the Guardians of the Galaxy team hasn’t yet been confirmed.
1 Legendary Star-Lord
Marvel Studios Has Teased Chris Pratt’s Legendary Star-Lord Return
Close
✕ Remove Ads
There is only one future Guardians of the Galaxy spinoff that has actually already been teased by Marvel Studios, and that is a project focused on Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill, who may not adopt the title of the Legendary Star-Lord. The Legendary Star-Lord was confirmed to be returning to the MCU as the tag at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and James Gunn teased on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast that Chris Pratt might currently be working with Marvel Studios. Even so, it’s unclear exactly when and where Peter Quill’s Star-Lord might reappear in the MCU.
|
Peter Quill’s MCU Project |
Year |
|---|---|
|
Guardians of the Galaxy |
2014 |
|
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 |
2017 |
|
Avengers: Infinity War |
2018 |
|
Avengers: Endgame |
2019 |
|
Thor: Love and Thunder |
2022 |
|
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special |
2022 |
|
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 |
2023 |
✕ Remove Ads
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ended with Peter Quill returning to Earth to reunite with his grandfather and presumably live a normal life. However, it’s very unlikely that Quill will stay out of trouble, and, in fact, his new residence on Earth means he is perfectly lined up to meet other notable MCU heroes, and perhaps even join the upcoming Avengers team. After his career in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, it would be brilliant to see Chris Pratt lead his own spinoffs and become a more Earth-based, grounded hero as the Legendary Star-Lord.
Your Rating
close10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
17 8.6/10 Guardians of the Galaxy PG-13AdventureActionFantasySci-Fi
Egotistic loner and “legendary” space pirate Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) falls foul of bounty hunters and his former allies after he steals an orb containing the Power Stone. Chased by Ronan the Accuser, a powerful Kree villain and thrown into an uneasy alliance with a group of similar misfits, he must adapt to his new dynamic or risk everything. He’s joined by gun-toting Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), treelike-alien Groot (Vin Diesel), Thanos’ daughter Gamora (Zoe Saldana), and the vengeful Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). Can the galaxy’s most infamous a-holes really save the day?
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director James Gunn Release Date July 30, 2014 Cast Zoe Saldana , Karen Gillan , Vin Diesel , Michael Rooker , Djimon Hounsou , Lee Pace , Benicio Del Toro , Glenn Close , Dave Bautista , Chris Pratt2 , Bradley Cooper , John C. Reilly Runtime 122 Minutes
✕ Remove Ads
Upcoming MCU Movies
-
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025
-
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025
-
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date July 25, 2025
-
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Release Date
-
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Release Date July 24, 2026
-
Your changes have been saved
Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite MoviesMy Watchlist
Success!
Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027
