Marvel Studios doesn’t shy away from bringing the axe down on its iconic characters. When the original Avengers’ contracts were up, there went Iron Man, Black Widow, and Captain America. Okay, Cap isn’t dead, but he’s been written out of the story, and there’s no indication he’s coming back, either. Now the chopping block is primed and ready for GOTG.
I’ve already proposed a major death happening in Thor: Love and Thunder, but the Guardians of the Galaxy could have bigger stakes. The biggest indicator came from James Gunn himself. He has said in the past that this will be his last GOTG film. Not only that, but he also made it clear this will be the last time we see this particular group of Guardians. That could spell disaster for some of your favorites.
ROCKET RACCOON
Get ready to say goodbye to Rocket.
The biggest clue is that superstar actor Bradley Cooper is not returning to the role after GOTG Vol. 3. As we have seen when Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Evans were ready to leave their roles, those iconic parts left with them.
You would assume with Marvel’s characters being timeless, it would be a James Bond situation with new actors playing the roles, but no go. Even though another actor could be cast to voice Rocket almost seamlessly, Kevin Feige and company won’t likely do that.
DRAX
This is the most obvious one on the hit list. Dave Bautista made it clear that he has no intentions of carrying on as Drax the Destroyer. In the past year, has said that he’s getting too old to be shirtless on the big screen. He said that he’s not returning after GOTG Vol. 3, so it is safe to say that Drax will be getting the grand sendoff.
Maybe when he said he’s leaving the franchise, he meant it as a metaphor that has no chance of going over his head because he would catch it.
GROOT
Marvel already killed Groot once. Sure, we’ve seen Baby Groot and Teen Groot, but Gunn has said that the original Groot audiences fell in love with in 2013’s GOTG gave his life to save his friends. Unfortunately, it looks like the sun is ready to set on Groot 2.0 just when we are about to see a fully grown tree.
The word on the internet is that Vin Diesel wants to have a bigger role in the MCU. While I am sure he is fine with being paid millions of dollars to say three words in various inflections, supposedly Diesel wants to be a live-action superhero.
He did portray Bloodshot, but that did not spawn a franchise. Starring as a Marvel hero would definitely be a step up. That would indicate that Groot’s time is at an end.
THE END OF GOTG?
There are plenty of theories about the next iteration of the Guardians, Volume 3 will be the franchise’s last ride. Marvel has suggested that the mighty Avengers franchise concluded with Endgame, and if they’ll put a cap on that box office behemoth, they’ll put a cap on anything. We may see Star-Lord and Gamora lead a different cosmic team, the GOTG will reach its end next May.
Want more GotG spec?
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DOCTOR DOOM AND WENDELL VAUGHN BECOME GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
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ALPHA FLIGHT: THE NEXT GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY?
