Credit: Marvel StudiosGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4, anyone?
In 2023, Marvel Studios ushered in a new era for one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most popular teams. With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) marking the end of James Gunn’s trilogy, the film also introduced a refreshed lineup of cosmic heroes ready to carry the franchise forward.
The Guardians of the Galaxy have long occupied a unique corner of Marvel lore. The original team was created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, and Arnold Drake in 1969, featuring characters such as Yondu Udonta and Vance Astro.
Decades later, a different iteration emerged in “Annihilation: Conquest #6” in 2008 from writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. That lineup–including Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Phyla-Vell, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Adam Warlock–helped redefine the concept for modern audiences. The team was also linked with characters such as Nova, Mantis, and Cosmo the Spacedog, setting the stage for the eclectic group later seen on screen.
The Guardians entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe during Phase Two with Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), directed by James Gunn. The film assembled a misfit crew led by Peter Quill and quickly became one of Marvel Studios’ most widely embraced entries.
The characters returned for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and later joined the wider MCU in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). Members of the team also appeared in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) before the trilogy concluded with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
The film’s ensemble includes Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Zoe Saldaña as Gamora, Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Vin Diesel as Groot, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri, and Karen Gillan as Nebula.
Additional cast members include Maria Bakalova as Cosmo the Spacedog, Will Poulter as Adam Warlock, Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha, Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord, Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary, Daniela Melchior as Ura, Michael Rosenbaum as Martinex, and Linda Cardellini as Lylla.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 debuted globally on April 22, 2023, at Disneyland Paris, followed by its North American premiere on April 27 in Los Angeles. It opened early in several international markets on May 3 before arriving in U.S. theaters on May 5. The latest chapter in the series quickly drew strong attention from audiences.
At this time, Marvel Studios has not confirmed a fourth installment. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was widely positioned as the closing chapter for the original team, serving as a farewell to characters who have been part of the MCU for nearly a decade. However, new insight has just been shared regarding a fourth installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
Comic Book Resources attended Emerald City Comic-Con, where multiple Guardians of the Galaxy actors, including Sean Gunn and Pom Klementieff–who play Kraglin Obfonteri and Mantis, respectively–were in attendance. When asked about the possibility of a fourth Guardians movie, the actors explained its current state.
“I don’t know,” Klementieff said. “We never talked about a Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4. It was always imagined as a trilogy.” Sean Gunn added, “In some ways, it’s almost like a little above my pay grade. It’s like, if they decide to do it, if they decide that they can put the pieces together and get the right cast, and get a script that they really like and that works, then it would depend on who wrote that script and who was putting it together.”
“And by that point, there would probably already be somebody who was part of it, so I don’t know,” the MCU and DCU star said.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked the end of James Gunn’s involvement with Marvel. The filmmaker took on the co-CEO role at DC Studios alongside Peter Safran under Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Their first slate, titled “Gods and Monsters”, included Gunn’s Superman reboot, Superman (2025), and will continue with this year’s Supergirl (2026), directed by Craig Gillespie.
While the trilogy wraps up the original Guardians’ story, Vol. 3 still hints at future adventures. The film’s mid-credits scene introduced an updated lineup that will continue the team’s legacy. It even confirmed who is in the new Guardians of the Galaxy team. Some familiar faces remained, joined by several newer additions as the group sets off on its next mission. So, if a fourth Guardians movie was greenlit, the current squad includes:
Rocket Raccoon
After surviving the High Evolutionary’s pursuit, Rocket Raccoon steps into a new role. With several longtime members choosing different paths, Rocket is chosen by his teammates to lead the team moving forward. The character was originally created by Bill Mantlo and Keith Giffen and debuted in “Marvel Preview #7” (1976). In both comics and film, Rocket is known for his sharp wit, weapons expertise, and piloting skills.
Groot
Groot also returns as part of the refreshed team. The MCU has featured multiple forms of the character, including the well-known “Baby Groot,” and the mid-credits scene reveals yet another evolved version of the towering tree-like hero.
Groot first appeared in “Tales to Astonish #13” (1960). In Marvel Comics, he began as an alien invader before being reinvented as a heroic character. His abilities include regeneration and the power to reshape his wooden body into tools, shields, or weapons.
Adam Warlock
Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock is one of the newer cosmic figures joining the group. The character originated in “Fantastic Four #66-67” (1967), created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as a being known as Him before later stories expanded his role.
Within the MCU, Adam Warlock is engineered by Ayesha and initially sent to capture Rocket for the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). After turning against his creators, he ultimately helps the Guardians during the climactic battle. His powers include flight, immense strength, and energy projection.
Cosmo the Spacedog
Maria Bakalova’s Cosmo the Spacedog also joins the new team. The telepathic canine first appeared in the MCU in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022).
Cosmo debuted in Marvel Comics in “Nova #4” (2008), created by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. The character is a Soviet space dog who develops psychic abilities after being exposed to cosmic radiation. In the MCU, Cosmo uses telepathy and telekinesis to assist the Guardians.
Kraglin Obfonteri
Kraglin, played by Sean Gunn, also becomes part of the updated lineup. The character traces back to “Tales to Astonish #46” (1963), created by Stan Lee, Ernie Hart, and Don Heck. In the MCU, Kraglin was a Ravager under Yondu. Following Yondu’s death in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, he inherits the signature arrow weapon and cybernetic fin once used by his mentor.
Phyla-Vell
Another unexpected addition is Phyla-Vell. The character debuted in Marvel Comics’ “Captain Marvel vol. 5 #16” (2004), created by Peter David and Paul Azaceta, and is connected to the legacy of Captain Marvel.
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Phyla-Vell is introduced as one of the children created by the High Evolutionary as part of his attempt to build a perfect society. The mid-credits scene hints at her abilities when she channels energy through her fists, suggesting powerful cosmic potential.
It should be noted that none of these characters have been confirmed for the upcoming Phase Six movie, Avengers: Doomsday (2026).
How would you feel if a fourth Guardians of the Galaxy movie were confirmed? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!