Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4: What Might Be

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 concluded a chapter for the team as we knew them, leaving fans wondering about the future of the space-faring heroes. While officially there’s no Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4 in active development, the door is certainly not closed. James Gunn’s departure to DC Studios doesn’t necessarily preclude future installments, though the direction would likely be quite different.

A crucial post-credits scene in Vol. 3 showcased a new iteration of the Guardians, led by Rocket Raccoon. This team included Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo the Spacedog, Adam Warlock, and Phyla-Vell. This lineup suggests potential storylines focusing on cosmic threats new to the MCU. Considering Phyla-Vell’s comic book origins, a conflict involving her Kree heritage or the Negative Zone could be explored.

One possibility is a smaller-scale adventure, focusing on establishing this new team’s dynamic and proving their worth. They are essentially rookies needing to gel and find their footing as a cohesive unit. This would allow for character development and exploration of their individual motivations without the pressure of a universe-ending threat.

However, given the MCU’s trajectory, it’s also plausible that the Guardians could be drawn into a larger cosmic conflict, potentially tying into the Multiverse Saga. With Kang the Conqueror as the overarching villain (at least for now), the Guardians’ unique perspective on time and space, coupled with Adam Warlock’s immense power, could make them valuable allies for Earth’s heroes. The remnants of the High Evolutionary’s experiments might also present lingering threats needing addressing.

The casting future remains a significant question. While voices like Bradley Cooper as Rocket and Vin Diesel as Groot are likely to continue, the roles of the live-action characters depend on the story. Sean Gunn’s Kraglin seems poised for a larger role, and the introduction of characters like Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) and Phyla-Vell (Kai Zen) suggests long-term commitments. The dynamic between these newer Guardians will be a key factor in determining the success of any future film.

Ultimately, the fate of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4 rests on Marvel Studios’ larger plans. While no concrete announcements have been made, the enduring popularity of the characters and the vast potential of the cosmic side of the MCU make a return highly probable. Whether it’s a direct sequel or a team-up in a larger crossover event, the Guardians of the Galaxy are likely to grace our screens again in the future.