Nobody expected the "space-set superhero movie starring a talking raccoon and a giant sentient tree" to work. Honestly, back in 2014, it felt like a fever dream that Marvel was even trying it. But here we are in 2026, and the legacy of the Guardians of the Galaxy has basically rewritten how we think about blockbuster cinema. It wasn't just about the quips or the 70s pop hits. It was about a group of "A-holes" who actually cared about each other.
If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for the franchise's leftovers. Rumors are swirling that Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill is set to pop up in both VisionQuest and Avengers: Doomsday. It makes sense. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 left him sitting on a porch on Earth, eating cereal with his grandpa. You don't just leave the "Legendary Star-Lord" to retire in Missouri forever.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Evolution: From D-List to Icons
The original 1969 comic team was... weird. They were basically freedom fighters from the 31st century fighting lizard-people called the Badoon. Vance Astro, Charlie-27, and Martinex weren't exactly household names. It wasn't until the 2008 Annihilation: Conquest event by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning that the modern roster—Star-Lord, Rocket, Gamora, Drax, and Groot—actually took shape.
James Gunn took that 2008 blueprint and injected it with a lot of heart and some serious trauma. He changed the backstory of almost everyone. In the comics, Drax was actually a human musician named Arthur Douglas whose soul was put into a green body to kill Thanos. In the movies? He’s just a very literal, very grieving alien. This version worked better. It felt more grounded, despite the gray skin and red tattoos.
The MCU version of Guardians of the Galaxy really thrived on that "found family" dynamic. It’s a trope, sure, but they nailed it. You’ve got:
- Rocket Raccoon: The secret protagonist of the whole trilogy. We finally saw his horrific origin in Vol. 3, confirming he was a product of the High Evolutionary’s cruel genetic experiments.
- Nebula: Maybe the best character arc in the whole MCU. She went from a broken, robotic assassin to the leader of Knowhere.
- Groot: Who knew three words could make people cry? From the sacrifice of the original Groot in the first film to the massive "King Groot" style we saw at the end of the trilogy, he's the emotional glue.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Ending
There’s this common misconception that the Guardians are "gone" because James Gunn moved to DC. That's not how Disney works. While Gunn's specific trilogy is finished, the team itself just evolved.
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At the end of the third movie, the "old" team disbanded. Mantis went on a journey of self-discovery (probably to find where she fits without being Peter’s sister or Ego’s servant). Gamora stayed with the Ravagers—her new family. Drax and Nebula stayed on Knowhere to raise the children rescued from the High Evolutionary.
But a new Guardians of the Galaxy team formed under Rocket’s leadership. This new lineup is pretty stacked:
- Rocket Raccoon (Captain)
- Groot (now basically a kaiju-sized powerhouse)
- Kraglin (finally mastering Yondu’s Yaka arrow)
- Adam Warlock (the powerful but childlike being played by Will Poulter)
- Phyla (one of the rescued star-children)
- Cosmo the Spacedog (the Soviet telepathic dog we all love)
Why the High Evolutionary Still Haunts the Franchise
The High Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji, was arguably the most hated villain in the MCU. Not "hated" because he was a bad character, but because he was so genuinely loathsome. He didn't want to save the universe; he just wanted to "fix" what he thought was imperfect.
A lot of fans missed a tiny detail in the chaos of Vol. 3's finale. During the escape from the exploding ship, Drax is actually seen carrying the High Evolutionary’s body. James Gunn later confirmed that the villain is alive and imprisoned on Knowhere. This leaves a massive door open. Will he return in a future cosmic project? In the comics, he’s a recurring nightmare. Having him rotting in a cell on the Guardians' home base is a ticking time bomb for future writers.
The Comic Book Shift in 2026
If you’re a reader, the Guardians of the Galaxy name is about to get a "gritty" makeover. In March 2026, Marvel is launching Imperial Guardians, written by the legendary Dan Abnett. This isn't your friendly neighborhood space family.
It’s a "dirty jobs" team assembled by Maximus (the Inhuman). The roster is wild: Gamora is the leader, but she’s dealing with Captain Marvel, Darkhawk, Amadeus Cho (in a Hulkbuster!), and the psychopathic Cosmic Ghost Rider. Abnett has already teased that this team will "also no" when it comes to bonding. It’s a return to the harder-edged cosmic stories that made the 2008 run so good.
How to Stay Up to Date with the Galaxy’s Finest
If you're looking to dive deeper into the lore or keep an eye on where these characters are headed next, here’s the roadmap for 2026:
- Watch the Rumors: Keep a close eye on the VisionQuest series (starring Paul Bettany). Leak reports from early 2026 suggest Peter Quill might be sharing a living space with the White Vision on Earth. It’s the "odd couple" pairing we didn't know we needed.
- Read the New Run: Pick up Imperial Guardians #1 in March. It’s the first time in a while we’ve seen Gamora in a leadership role without the rest of the original crew.
- Check the "Legendary" Tease: At the very end of Vol. 3, the text on screen said "The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return." While a solo movie was reportedly on hold, Marvel's shift toward Avengers: Doomsday means Quill will likely be the bridge between the cosmic and Earth-bound heroes once again.
The Guardians of the Galaxy proved that you don't need a cape or a shield to be a hero. You just need to be a little bit broken and find some other people who are broken in the same way. Whether it’s the new team led by Rocket or the return of the legendary Star-Lord, the cosmic side of the MCU is finally getting interesting again.
Go back and re-watch the final scene of the trilogy. Look at the newspaper Peter’s grandpa is reading. It mentions Kevin Bacon being abducted—a nice nod to the Holiday Special. Those little details are what made James Gunn’s run so special. The future might look different, but the heart of the franchise remains the same: family is what you make of it.