After three movies that spanned nine years, the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy brought the first team’s story to a close. The lineup changed quite a bit, sending most of the characters down new paths. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has not shown us much more of the new Guardians yet, the idea of Rocket leading this group in a future movie is very promising. Especially because some of the new additions to the team look incredibly powerful.
Rocket’s story got a lot of focus in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 before he became the team’s new head. It is no surprise then that the film takes care to set up this development before it actually happens on screen. However, what is truly interesting is how the movie subtly begins to do this from its very first moments. This is something that is quite easy to miss unless you watch the Marvel film again.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Delivers A New Team Lineup And A Surprising New Leader
How The Movie Changes The Group Dynamic And Passes The Torch To Rocket Raccoon
The first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies mostly kept the same heroes. But Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 first changed things when Gamora left the team. The original Gamora died in Avengers: Infinity War. The Gamora who stayed has no memories she made with the team. Her sister Nebula joined the roster instead. This first change paved the way for a bigger team change at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Only Groot and Rocket remained from the first team.
The new Guardians of the Galaxy team includes these two original members. It also adds Adam Warlock, Cosmo, Kraglin, and Phyla. Most of these characters are newer to being heroes. This makes it even more logical that Rocket becomes the new leader of the group. The movie shows this effectively when Star-Lord gives his friend the leadership. In the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 post-credits scene, Rocket gives the new team their orders on how to handle an upcoming fight before they charge into battle. This feels right for his character. He has gone through so much change and growth.
Many people might not have expected this direction before seeing the third Guardians of the Galaxy movie. There was more talk about Rocket possibly dying in the film leading up to its release, rather than him becoming the new leader. But this path makes a lot of sense for the trilogy’s story. This is especially true when watching Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 again. It feels like this plot point was hinted at and foreshadowed from the very first moments of the film.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Teases Rocket As Star-Lord's Successor From The Opening Scene
The Significance Of Rocket Listening To Quill's Zune At The Beginning Of The Movie
The Guardians of the Galaxy series is all about music. Its carefully chosen songs and collection of nostalgic hits define the trilogy. They also define many of its best scenes. The series has an in-universe reason for its music choices. The first Guardians leader, Star-Lord, often picked the songs. He first used the Walkman his mother Meredith gave him as a child. Later he used the Zune his adoptive father Yondu left for him.
At the beginning of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Rocket is shown listening to Quill's Zune. This provides the first song for the film, which is Radiohead’s "Creep." Quill tries to take it back from Rocket. Rocket manages to get it back again before Adam Warlock attacks him. Rocket then is out of commission for a good part of the movie. Star-Lord later gives Rocket the Zune as a gift after a series of other music moments. This happens when Rocket becomes the team's next leader and the two go their separate ways at the end of the film.
The movie also showed Rocket using the device while Peter and the rest of the team were gone during Avengers: Endgame. At first, it seemed like a fun nod to Rocket probably liking the music player during that time. But if you watch it again, this detail also strongly suggests Rocket was going to take over from Quill. He takes a more active part in choosing the movie’s songs. This aligns the stories of Star-Lord and Rocket more directly. It is a subtle but effective way to signal change.
The Emotional Impact And Character Conclusions Of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
How The Movie Offers Satisfying Endings While Opening Doors For Future Stories
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is one of the best Marvel movies to watch again. Subsequent viewings give a very different experience. The original Guardians of the Galaxy group split up at the end of the film. They each go to do different things. New members join the team, and Rocket becomes its new captain. Watching the film again lets you see all the hints and foreshadowing that are not as clear when you first see the story.
For instance, knowing Rocket will become the Guardians leader makes his early attempts to rescue Lylla, Floor, and Teefs seem even more like early signs. Rocket was a great fit for the leader role. His first thought when the High Evolutionary said they would all be killed was to break everyone out and try to save them. Similarly, the post-credits scene shows Rocket asking the team about the music they like. This ties clearly back to the beginning of the film and Rocket’s story with the Zune. This commitment to his character journey made his leadership feel truly earned. The movie made his personal story central to the team's overall direction.
I think the film managed to give most of its characters a strong ending without really closing the door on their futures. Peter Quill goes back to Earth to reconnect with his family. Drax and Nebula stay on Knowhere to build a new society. Mantis goes off to find her own path. Gamora, the new version, decides to stay with the Ravagers. Each character finds a conclusion that fits where they are in their lives. The film also pulls on your emotions pretty hard. Rocket's backstory is incredibly sad, and it is handled well. This allows the audience to feel the weight of his past. While some critics mentioned tonal shifts, I found that the film managed to balance its humor with those difficult emotional moments. It often brings a cathartic feeling by the end.
What Does The Future Hold For The Guardians Of The Galaxy After Vol. 3's Ending?
Considering Potential Returns For The Characters And The Team's Next Steps
The future of the entire Guardians of the Galaxy group seems a bit uncertain after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. A fourth film is not currently in the works. There have been rumors that Chris Pratt will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, sooner rather than later. But the rest of the team has an unknown future. None of the Guardians are currently set to return in the announced Avengers: Doomsday movie. This leaves fans wondering where their favorite characters might show up next.
Karen Gillan, who plays Nebula, has also spoken about her potential return to Marvel. She has a long history with the MCU. She first appeared in James Gunn’s original Guardians of the Galaxy. She continued her role in the second movie, Avengers: Infinity War, and then Avengers: Endgame. She also showed up in the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and Thor: Love and Thunder before her last appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. When asked about her future in the MCU, Gillan did not give anything away. She said working in the Marvel world is fun and for the future, she could not say anything. But she did add "never say, never." This kind of response keeps hope alive for fans who want to see Nebula again.
The ending of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 feels like a proper send-off for the original team while also opening the door for new stories. Rocket becoming the leader means the team has a fresh start with a new direction. The core themes of found family and overcoming trauma continue with this new group. It is exciting to think about what kind of adventures this new lineup will get into. I think this movie did a great job of concluding one chapter while clearly starting another. I am eager to see what the future holds for Rocket and his new crew.