Audiences were invited back into the MCU’s vast cosmos in the delightfully emotional and festive film. Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special getting viewers ready for her big return in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 next summer. According to James Gunn, the third film will cap off not only his, but the team’s time in the MCU as well. Though he’s moving into new and exciting ventures at DC Studios, it makes fans nervous about their favorite ragtag group of cosmic rascals.
The team has grown and evolved greatly over the decade since its debut in Guardians of the Galaxy , introducing new members like Mantis, Kraglin, and Cosmo the Spacedog. Looking ahead, both Adam Warlock and Nova will be joining the MCU soon, though perhaps not as members of the Guardians. Overall, while Gunn’s comments about the team’s imminent demise could mean that some of his missing comic book teammates will never make an appearance in the MCU, others still have ways of making their way in. waiting for his break in the MCU.
Phyla-Vell
In 2008, the modern-day Guardians of the Galaxy team reunited in the comics, but the MCU is still missing a founding member. Phyla-Vell is a prominent cosmic heroine, daughter of Mar-Vell – played by Annette Benning in Captain Marvel – and sister of Genis-Vell. She is a powerful member of the team capable of absorbing and blasting energy.
Phyla follows in her father and brother’s footsteps, becoming the fourth Captain Marvel, even before Carol Danvers took the title. She also briefly becomes Quasar using the Quantum Bands, but has since adopted a much sterner figure as Martyr, the avatar of the cosmic entity Oblivion. Given her familial relationship and history with the team, and specifically Adam Warlock, Phyla could yet be introduced in either Marvels or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 .
Major Victory
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 featured some cameos from the original Guardians of the Galaxy roster from the comics as Ravagers honoring Yondu at his funeral. They were made from Starhawk, Aleta Ogord, Charlie-27 and Martinex T’Naga, and were even joined by Mainframe and Krugarr. Interestingly, like Phyla-Vell, one founding member of that team was absent – Vance Astro, aka Major Victory.
He is an unexpectedly complex character – a powerful psychokinetic mutant astronaut who was lost in space for a millennium and who eventually dubs himself Captain America. Vance further complicates his life by traveling through time and interacting with his younger self, motivating him to remain on Earth, thus setting the stage for his development into the hero, Justice of the New Warriors. He’s not a major character, but he would be a cool inclusion in the future, whether it’s as Major Victory among the Guardians or Ravagers or Justice.
Galactic Warrior
Unfortunately, a popular member of the modern Guardians of the Galaxy is someone fans shouldn’t expect to see in the MCU. Bug was first introduced as a member of the Micronauts, a team of heroes based on the toy line of the same name – his name at that stage was Galactic Warrior. While Marvel continually releases comics featuring Bug as a member of the Guardians, his cinematic rights still belong to Hasbro, so the MCU isn’t in his future.
Interestingly, the trailer for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania hints that there may be a group of Micronaut-like characters in the Quantum Realm. Perhaps some variation of Bug is involved in this, conversely. It’s a shame because Bug is a cool, supportive addition to the team that can help meld multiple storylines together.
Jack Flag
Major Victory isn’t the only Captain America-linked character among the Guardians. There is also Jack Harrison, also known as Jack Flag. He was an aspiring crime fighter, donning a patriotic face to honor his hero, Captain America, to take on the Serpent Society. Jack was exposed to some chemicals created by Mister Hyde – played by Kyle MacLachlan in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – and gained Captain America-like powers.
He leaves Earth and joins the modern Guardians, helping them defeat Thanos, Blastaar, and the Magus. Since his story wouldn’t need to be limited to just the Guardians, Jack could still have a future in the MCU as an ally of Sam Wilson, joining the fray in Captain America: New World Order .
Moon dragon
If there was a great Guardian that fans would have hoped to see in the MCU thus far, it’s Moondragon. Heather Douglas has a tragic but strange backstory, as her parents were murdered by Thanos, and then she was taken to Titan by her father, Mentor. Interestingly, her father’s soul would find a new body – that of Drax the Destroyer – so they have a complex connection that could have been interesting to unpack in the MCU.
That’s not to say the bald, telepathic prodigy will never show up. This could mean that his Drax-related origins will not be incorporated. She would still be a logical inclusion in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 , as her story could develop beyond the team – encompassing her relationship with Phyla-Vell, tenure with both the Defenders and the Avengers, and/or her ability to transform into an actual dragon. Also, quite frankly, Moondragon is a badass character that many fans would quickly fall in love with.
Kitty Pryde
It might surprise casual fans that Kitty Pryde of the X-Men was also a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. In fact, she joined the team to replace her then-fiancé, Peter Quill, even using his Star-Lord moniker for a while. This all occurred before the second Civil War ran, but in the end Kitty decided to remain on Earth as the new leader of the X-Men and cut off her engagement to Peter.
Marvel boy
Another member of the Guardians most commonly associated with another team is Marvel Boy. In his case, it’s the Young Avengers. He’s one of the few remaining members of the teenage superhero team waiting for his introduction into the MCU, though like Hulkling, Marvel Boy’s time must be coming soon. He could certainly come into play once Marvels do but he might be saved for when a Young Avengers project takes place – if ever.
He is currently on the Guardians roster, alongside his new boyfriend Hercules, who was introduced in Thor: Love and Thunder , being portrayed by Brett Goldstein. It’s interesting to wonder whether the MCU will develop this relationship, or rather focus on it and Kate Bishop – though it would be better to show him as a powerful bisexual hero overall.
Nikki Gold
Nicholette “Nikki” Gold is another member of the original team, a child genetically engineered to live on Mercury. She is most recognized for her flaming hair and acrobatic skills, and despite her presence in the team’s early comics, she has not appeared much since the new team’s formation. Though Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy incorporated her as a significant character, so there’s hope that she could also turn heads in the MCU.
As Sylvester Stallone and Michael Rosenbaum are set to reprise as Stakar Ogord, aka Starhawk and Martinex, respectively, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 , perhaps Nikki could be incorporated in a small way. At the very least, it would be nice to have some sort of reference to her along the way.
Angela
With Thor temporarily joining the Guardians after Avengers: Endgame many thought Thor: Love and Thunder might end up partially adapting the Asgardians of the Galaxy arc. In the end, the Guardians were sent on their merry way. earlier in the film, but there may still be hope for a key missing Asgardian, Angela. She is Thor’s half-sister who joined the Guardians immediately after joining Marvel Comics.
Interestingly, Angela was an original creation of Image Comics but was sold to Marvel by Neil Gaiman. Given how Hela’s backstory in Thor: Ragnarok ‘s long-lost sister, Angela’s introduction would involve some redundant story elements. However, if there’s a way for her to still appear in live-action, they should be chasing her. Like Valkyrie and Sif, Angela is a fierce and powerful warrior, and her story may go beyond Thor or the Guardians.
Gladiator
Just as the Avengers had the Dark Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy also faced the Dark Guardians. They were created by Starfox – introduced in Eternals , played by Harry Styles – and consisted of Nebula, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Gladiator and Wraith. Their goal was to prevent Thanos’ return from beyond the grave, taking dark and drastic measures to do so. Of those waiting to appear, Kallark aka Gladiator has the best prospects in the MCU.
He is a Strontian and one of several comps for Marvel Comics’ Superman. Importantly, he is connected to the Shi’ar Empire as the leader of its Imperial Guard, which in turn is crucially connected to the X-Men. As the MCU will surely explore the cosmos further after the Multiverse Saga concludes and the X-Men will finally appear in the flesh, then Gladiator has great potential to make an appearance.
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