Can Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 rescue the MCU?

Over the next year and a half, the biggest release to come out of either Marvel or DC will undoubtedly be Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, set for release less than three weeks from now. This is due to a number of factors; the culmination of a trilogy following the most-beloved group of superheroes outside of the original Avengers, a chance to see where James Gunn leaves the Marvel universe before jumping across to DC, and the introduction of at least two new key players to the MCU, which sorely lacks star-power following the departure of Iron Man, the original Captain America, Black Panther, and Black Widow.

Debuting in 2014, Guardians Of The Galaxy garnered a massive following rapidly, and perhaps punched above its collective weight as a family-friendly space adventure that brings together a motley crew of minor players in the growing MCU. The fantastic soundtrack brought in the older fans and sent younger viewers rushing for their parent's record players, the introduction of witty banter and humorous interactions between characters endeared the gang to audiences everywhere, and it also set in motion some of the most recognisable parts of the MCU as we now know it- Thanos and the Infinity Stones. Its follow-up in 2017 took this formula and ran with it brilliantly, giving audiences welcome relief from some of the grittier or darker entries in the MCU at this time, while also raising the stakes by following Peter Quill's lineage, introducing Ego, and saying farewell to a true father-figure and mentor in Yondu. Fans will flock to cinemas during the coming theatrical run, lured by the promise of another epic soundtrack, the chance to see Gamora and Quill's love story reignite, the rumours of a certain gun-slinging racoon's goodbye, and the superb mix of humour and realism that makes Guardians so powerful. For all its goofiness and space-hopping, the Guardians of the Galaxy story is one of family, and the bickering only serves to make the farewell a beautiful one.

We also get the chance to see what state James Gunn leaves the MCU in. Hopping across to DC with a full slate on his hands, and the idea of a fresh start, there are high hopes for him to take the DC universe on a rapid upward trajectory, and one that it has been sorely longing for. His legacy at Marvel will not only be defined by the financial success of his films, but also in what condition he leaves that universe. Quill, Gamora, Rocket, Drax, Groot, Mantis, and Nebula have all danced on the biggest stage, facing off against Ronan, Ego, Thanos in Infinity War, and coming back (in various forms) for Endgame. Gunn is faced with a tricky situation in ending the adventures of his space-crew, and it is entirely possible that we will see at least one, if not more, key deaths. While this would be a heartbreaking way to end an incredible trilogy, it would also mean that several more key players vacate the screen following on from the end of Phase 4. This leaves the DC-verse room to push in with new and exciting superheroes, and will have Marvel execs sweating over the closing of a successful and beloved chapter.

Lastly, we get to see whether the point above becomes moot with the exciting introduction (finally!) of both Adam Warlock and the High Evolutionary. Both beings of extraordinary cosmic power, by some reckoning on a level we have not quite seen before, this could be the perfect way to bring in fresh characters who can then embark on their own journeys of redemption, quest, or tragedy. Adam Warlock will likely start off as an antagonist to the Guardians for at least the first half of this film if not longer, and it will be fascinating to see where he stands when the dust has settled, such is his power. First teased at the ending of Vol. 2, Warlock has been waiting in the wings since 2017, and fans are clamoring for his first appearance. The High Evolutionary remains a more mysterious entity, both in terms of how they will be portrayed, and in the impact of their role for the MCU. Will their origin be tied in with one of the Guardian's? Or are they simply the next big bad, facing off with a plucky, argumentative, and all-round hilarious family?

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has a heavy weight on its shoulders with the middling success of Phase 4, but if things go as we can likely expect, we are in for one exciting and satisfying finale.