Updated June 26, 2018 2.9K votes 516 voters 133.7K views
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Warning: this list contains Avengers: Infinity War spoilers.
Though it's slated for a 2020 release date, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 theories are all over the place online. Some audience members are still trying to grapple with Star-Lord's defining moment in Infinity War and how it will affect GotG 3.
Director James Gunn has given some hints on social media to diehard fans as to the film's plot, but what will happen in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is still anyone's guess.
Rocket Raccoon's backstory has remained a complete mystery so far. He's vaguely alluded to being a product of a dodgy science experiment with outbursts like, "I didn't ask to get made!" His snarly, quick-temper also hints at a more feral prehistory, something that James Gunn revealed at Hasbro HASCON 2017 will be addressed in future installments:
We are going to learn more about where Rocket comes from in the coming sagas. It’s going to be a little different from the comics. We already know a lot about from where he came from. It’s a little bit more horrible than what it is in the comics when you come down to it. We will learn more about that.
This strongly points to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 finallypulling some of the mystery surrounding the fan-favorite character to rest, though Gunn's use of the word "sagas" also hints the reveal may be saved for a spinoff movie.
With everyone except for Rocket Raccoon and Nebula dusted by the gauntlet-wearing hand of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, it seems inconceivable that another Guardians movie can happen. But, while the permanent fates of most of Thanos's victims remain unknown, three of the Guardians are already confirmed to be returning in some form or another.
Chris Pratt revealed to MTV International that the third installment of Guardians of the Galaxy would begin filming in January 2019, proving his involvement. Dave Bautista also went on record about Drax's mysterious resurrection for the film:
I'm gonna be in Guardians 3. I don't know how they're bringing me back, yeah but somehow I'm going to make it because, as far as I know, I am going to be in Guardians 3, so I have to be back.
Meanwhile, Mantis's return was accidentally-on-purpose spoiled by James Gunn on Twitter.
After his existence was teased at the very end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Adam Warlock was hotly tipped to show up in Avengers: Infinity War to thwart Thanos. Unfortunately for half the universe, that didn't happen. According to the Russo brothers, Warlock won't be gracing the MCU with his golden presence in Avengers 4, either.
By the process of elimination, it only makes sense that if he's ever going to show up again, it'll be in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as Redditor /u/2chainzrules24_2 points out:
This film is set to take place after [the] Untitled Avengers [film] and will probably deal with the fallout of losing Gamora in Infinity War. The film will probably feature Adam Warlock as an antagonist at first before he becomes a hero and joins the team. It's possible that Adam Warlock will have some connection to a soul realm where Peter would be able to see Gamora again, but that might seem a little forced and might not make a lot of sense.
After the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – which fleshes out Peter Quill's true parentage and cosmic abilities as Ego the Living Planet's offspring – a fan theory positing that Mantis, Ego's right-hand woman, was also his progeny gained a lot of traction. This was based on evidence in the film that Ego had coupled with a member of Mantis' species, which James Gunn confirmed on Instagram.
But, in doing so, the director also debunked the idea that Mantis is secretly Peter's half-sister. Since Gunn confirmed on Twitter that Mantis will be in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, theorizing on the future role she'll play is still viable.
The only clue so far is a throwaway reference to "Cotati steel" in Avengers: Infinity War. This Infinity War Easter egg hints at the identity Mantis takes on in the comics as the Celestial Madonna –"the essence of life" – a prophecy rooted in the culture of the Cotati race.
Since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 comes out after Avengers 4 – and James Gunn has possibly confirmed the former will also take place after the events of the Infinity War saga – it's a safe bet that whoever is left of the Guardians will be dealing with a post-Thanos world.
Drax's life purpose is to destroy Thanos, the Titan who killed his wife and child. He is so consumed by this goal that he attacks Thanos the first chance he has in Infinity War, albeit unsuccessfully.
Whether Drax delivers the final blow to Thanos or not, his future in the MCU after Thanos is inevitably defeated feels uncertain: will he stay with the team having fulfilled his life's purpose? Or will GotG Vol. 3 be the last we see of him?
In a live Facebook Q&A in August 2017, James Gunn not only revealed he's helping to plan the next "10-20 years" of Marvel movies, but he also confirmed that Marvel is considering using Nova. Not the Nova Corps – the intergalactic police force we saw in the first two Guardians films – but the character, Nova, an individual, super-powered member of the Corps.
When asked about Nova's possible inclusion by a fan, Gunn responded, "Yes, definitely. Nova comes up occasionally as someone we might use." It's no secret that Gunn drew inspiration from Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's successful Guardians revival comic series from 2008, as well as the duo's previous 2007-10 run on Nova.
