In Marvel Studios' "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3", our beloved band of misfits are looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
Plot[]
At their new headquarters on Knowhere, the Guardians of the Galaxy are attacked by Adam Warlock, a Sovereign warrior created by their high priestess Ayesha. After Adam overpowers them and critically wounds Rocket, he is stabbed by Nebula and forced to flee. The Guardians are unable to tend to Rocket's wounds due to a kill switch, made by the company Orgocorp, embedded in him. They travel to Orgocorp's headquarters to find the override code.
As Rocket lies unconscious, he recalls his past. As a baby raccoon, he was experimented on by the High Evolutionary, a scientist who sought to enhance and anthropomorphize animal lifeforms to create a Counter-Earth. Rocket befriended the High Evolutionary's other test subjects: the otter Lylla, the walrus Teefs, and the rabbit Floor. The High Evolutionary was impressed by Rocket's rapidly growing intelligence but became furious once it had exceeded his own. The High Evolutionary perfected his experiments with Rocket's advice but ordered Rocket's brain to be extracted, and his friends incinerated. Rocket freed Lylla, only for the High Evolutionary to kill her. Enraged, Rocket mauled the High Evolutionary and shot his guards, but Teefs and Floor were killed in the chaos. Alone, Rocket stole a spaceship and fled.
In the present, the alternate version of Gamora, who has joined the Ravagers, helps the Guardians infiltrate Orgocorp. They retrieve Rocket's file but discover that the code has been removed. The group speculates that Theel, one of the High Evolutionary's advisors, has it, so they depart for Counter-Earth. They are followed by Ayesha and Adam, who are ordered by their creator, the High Evolutionary, to retrieve Rocket for his brain.
Upon arriving, the team is helped by residents in tracing Theel to the High Evolutionary's ship. Drax and Mantis remain with Gamora and Rocket as Peter Quill, Groot, and Nebula travel to the High Evolutionary's ship. Nebula is forced to wait outside by guards as Quill and Groot board. Drax and Mantis pursue Quill's group.
The High Evolutionary initiates his destruction and planned recreation of Counter-Earth, which kills all life on the planet, including Ayesha. As his ship enters orbit, Quill and Groot leap off and kill Theel, retrieving the code from him. Gamora arrives with their ship to rescue them, while Nebula, Mantis, and Drax board the High Evolutionary's ship to escape the planet. As Quill's group attempts to access the code, Rocket flatlines and has a near-death experience, where he reunites with Lylla, Teefs, and Floor. Lylla tells him that his time has not yet come as Quill uses the code to disable the kill switch and save Rocket's life.
Nebula, Mantis, and Drax encounter hundreds of imprisoned humanoid children on the High Evolutionary's ship before being captured. Quill's group sets out to rescue the three, placed in a chamber with monstrous Abilisks. Mantis befriends the Abilisks, allowing the group to escape and reunite with Quill's group, together overpowering the High Evolutionary's army. Kraglin and Cosmo arrive with Knowhere, and Cosmo creates a telekinetic tunnel connecting Knowhere to the High Evolutionary's ship to free the captured children. Rocket discovers imprisoned animals on the ship before being attacked by the High Evolutionary, but the rest of the Guardians help subdue him, leaving him to perish on his ship. The Guardians rescue the animals and lead them aboard Knowhere. Quill nearly dies trying to cross over but is saved by Adam, who had a change of heart after being saved by Groot.
In the aftermath, Quill leaves the Guardians, bestowing the captaincy to Rocket before leaving for Earth to reunite with his grandfather Jason. Mantis embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the Abilisks, Gamora reunites with the Ravagers, and Nebula and Drax remain on Knowhere to raise the rescued children.
In a mid-credits scene, the new Guardians, consisting of Rocket, Groot, Cosmo, Kraglin, Adam, Phyla (one of the rescued children), and Adam's pet Blurp, take on a new mission.
In an end-credits scene, Peter Quill can be seen recovering from his childhood trauma and living his life on earth with his Grandfather.
In November 2014, Gunn stated that, in addition to having the "basic story" for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 while working on the first film, he also had ideas for a potential third film.[1] Despite this, Gunn stated in June 2015 that he was unsure if he would be involved with a third Guardians film, saying that it would depend on how he felt after making Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.[2] In April 2016, Feige said on future MCU films, "it is still a big chess board for 2020 and beyond, but certainly I would say Guardians 3 is [one film that's] up there. I don't know what exactly the order will be."[3] In March 2017, Gunn stated there would be a third film "for sure. We're trying to figure it out,"[4] also adding, "There are no specific plans for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. But we know unless something goes horribly — which is always possibly, you never know — I think that Marvel would want to make another movie."[5] He also reiterated he was still unsure if he would be involved with the film and that he was going to figure out his involvement and his next project "over the next couple of weeks."[4] The following month, Gunn announced he would return to write and direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.[6]
On July 20, 2018, Disney and Marvel severed ties with Gunn after conservative commentators began circulating old controversial tweets surrounding topics such as rape and pedophilia, and called for his firing.[7] However as of March, 15, 2019 he has been rehired by Disney to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 once again and would resume working on the film after he completes 2021's The Suicide Squad for Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films.
On June 28, 2021, Chris Pratt revealed that filming would start in the Autumn of that year and will end in April 2022.[8]
Filming began on October 19, 2021[9] and would finish around the middle of May 2022.[10]
On May 6, 2022, James Gunn announced that they officially wrapped production.[11]Dave Bautista announced he had finished filming as Drax, saying goodbye to the character.[12]
On January 4, 2023, Dave Bautista confirmed this was his final Marvel film and was happy to say goodbye to Drax.[13]
Reception[]
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 82% based on 375 reviews with an average rating of 7.2/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "A galactic group hug that might squeeze a little too tight on the heartstrings, the final Guardians of the Galaxy is a loving last hurrah for the MCU's most ragtag family." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 64 out of 100, based on 63 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, the same as the previous two Guardians films, while PostTrak reported that moviegoers gave the film a 91% positive score, with 79% saying they would definitely recommend it.
According to James Gunn, this is the final appearance of all the Guardians.[17]
As the film entered production, its set was used to film Ezra Miller's cameo as Barry Allen/Flash for the first season finale of the DCEU production Peacemaker, of which Gunn also served as creator, director, and showrunner.[18]
James Gunn says this film has "a different type of groundness".[19]
Mikaela Hoover, who previously played Nova Prime's assistant in the first Guardians movie, plays Floor.
Nathan Fillion, who previously played a monstrous inmate in the first Guardians movie, plays Master Karja. He was originally met to play Wonder Man in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 but his role got cut and then got replaced by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who will play him for his own series. But Nathan Fillion later played Wonder Man in M.O.D.O.K..
Benjamin Byron Davis, who previously played Agent Burleigh in Ant-Man and the Wasp, plays Bletelsnort.
Miriam Shor, who previously played Alisa Jones in Jessica Jones, plays Vim.
Molly Quinn, who previously played Howard the Duck's date in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, plays Ravager Molly, (The one who says "Mwah" when Gamora is introduced).
Molly Quinn and Will Poulter previously stared in We're the Millers.
Despite playing mother and son, Elizabeth Debicki is only 3 years older than Will Poulter.
This is the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film to use a completely uncensored F-bomb,[20] as in: "Open the f------ door!" yelled out loud by Peter Quill. This F-bomb wasn't in the original script James Gunn told Chris Pratt to say it on set.
Peter Quill's NASA backpack appeared from the beginning of the first film when he was abducted by Ravagers after Meredith Quill's death.
Coincidentally, Star-Lord's Brazilian Portuguese, Canadian French, German and European Spanish voice actors, Raphael Rossatto, Philippe Martin, Leonhard Mahlich and Guillermo Romero are also the voice of Mario in said dubs of the film as well as the recurring voice of Chris Pratt in those languages. File:Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 - Rocket Hugging Lyla in the Afterlife.png
Reference to Ghost
High Evolutionary's European Spanish voice actor, Fernando Castro, also voiced Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, making his second 2023 antagonist in a film starring Chris Pratt.
Mantis' European Spanish voice actress, Laura Pastor, also voiced Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Peter's grandfather's European Spanish voice actor, Fernando De Luis, also voiced Cranky Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
This is the first film in the MCU in the last 6 years where a main character (other than the villain) hasn't died.
At the end, Groot briefly says: "I love you, guys", which is a nod to how Groot speaks fluent English in the comics, However this is first and so far only time in the MCU where he spoke in normal fluent English instead of saying "I am Groot". James Gunn later confirmed that Groot actually says "I am Groot", but the spectators can now understand Groot's language.
There are a couple of references to the 1990 film Ghost. Peter Quill calls himself Patrick Swayze (who played the main character and eventual ghost, Sam Wheat), and Rocket seeing Lylla in the afterlife references when Sam's girlfriend Molly sees him for the last time as a ghost, just as he is about to descend onto the afterlife.
This movie reveals that Rocket is the secret protagonist of the Guardians movies.
One of the films editors Fred Raskin who's daughter Noa Raskin voiced Baby Rocket (When he says "hurts") and then when Rocket is a preteen child (the scene with the mutated turtle) his voice was done by his motion capture actor and Kraglin's actor, Sean Gunn. This was confirmed by James Gunn in the audio commentary.
Entertainment:Avengers: Quantum Encounter • Avengers Training Initiative • Doctor Strange: Journey into the Mystic Arts • Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! • Marvel Heroes Unite • Marvel Comic Academy • Stark Expo présente : une énergie pour demain! Restaurants:Pym Test Kitchen • Shawarma Palace • Stark Factory • Terran Treats Shops:Campus Supply Pod • Expo Shop • Mission Equipment • Pavilion Gifts • The Collector’s Warehouse • WEB Suppliers Firework:Disney Movie Magic • ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration • World of Color: Celebrate!
"Shoot To Thrill" • "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" • "Trouble Man" • "Hooked on a Feeling" • "Spirit In The Sky" • "Cherry Bomb" • "Come and Get Your Love" • "I Want You Back" • "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" • "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" • "Go All The Way" • "Moonage Daydream" • "I'm Not In Love" • "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" • "O-o-h Child" • "Magic" • "Live To Rise" • "I've Got No Strings" • "Left Hand Free" • "Mr. Blue Sky" • "The Chain" • "Born to Be Wild" • "Immigrant Song" • "C'mon Get Happy" • "Twilight Time" • "Holding Out for a Hero" • "Demons" • "Dark Moon" • "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)" • "Smells Like Teen Spirit" • "A Whole New World" • "A Man Without Love"
Original Songs: "A Newlywed Couple" • "WandaVision!" • "We Got Something Cooking" • "Making It Up As We Go Along" • "Let's Keep It Going" • "Agatha All Along" • "Jeg Saler Min Ganger" • "Save The City"
S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier • Quinjet • Valkyrie • Milano • The Bus • Dark Aster • Lola
Organizations/Groups
Avengers • Chitauri • Stark Industries • S.H.I.E.L.D. • A.I.M. • Asgardians • Fire Demons • Dark Elves • Frost Giants • HYDRA • World Security Council • Guardians of the Galaxy • Nova Corps • Kree • Sakaarans • Rising Tide • Centipede Project • Cybertek • Xandarians • Strike • Ravagers • Inhumans • The Hand • Defenders • Black Order • Eternals • Fantastic Four • S.W.O.R.D. • United Nations • Flag Smashers • Time Variance Authority • Variants • Djinn • Clandestines • Order of the Red Daggers
Locations
New York (state) • New York City • Avengers Tower • Asgard • India • Stuttgart • Germany • Nine Realms • London • England • Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. • Tony Stark's Mansion • Triskelion • Wakanda • Xandar • Morag • Guest House • The Hub • Knowhere • Shawarma Palace • Sanctuary • Hong Kong • Ego • New Avengers Facility • Vormir • Quantum Realm • New Jersey • Westview • Massachusetts • Ralph Bohner's House • Lamentis-1 • The Void • Citadel at the End of Time • San Francisco • London • Noor Dimension
Entertainment:Avengers: Quantum Encounter • Avengers Training Initiative • Doctor Strange: Journey into the Mystic Arts • Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! • Marvel Heroes Unite • Marvel Comic Academy • Rogers: The Musical Restaurants:Pym Test Kitchen • Shawarma Palace • Stark Factory • Terran Treats Shops:Campus Supply Pod • Expo Shop • Mission Equipment • Pavilion Gifts • The Collector’s Warehouse • WEB Suppliers Fireworks:Disney Movie Magic • Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration • World of Color: Celebrate! Halloween:Treat Trails
See Also
Marvel Entertainment • Marvel Studios • Marvel Animation • Marvel Television • Marvel Press • Marvel Music • Marvel Studios Animation • The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on Wikipedia
