James Gunn makes his triumphant return to Marvel Studios this winter with The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. The horribly beautiful mind's momentum is the highest it has ever been at the moment, as Gunn is coming off the smash successes of both The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. If the Christmas-themed Guardians one-off succeeds, Gunn will be riding three consecutive hits as he goes into 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Specifics surrounding the threequel remain close to the vest, but Gunn has not been shy about teasing the swan song elements of Vol. 3. The director has claimed Guardians 3 will be "the last time people will see" the current Guardians of the Galaxy roster, and he gave a straightforward "yes" when asked if a character will die in the upcoming movie.
While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marks the end for some, it is also the beginning for others. Will Poulter's Adam Warlock makes his long-awaited debut, and Peacemaker star Chukwudi Iwuji leaps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the film's antagonist.
Beyond the main ensemble, Gunn is assembling an all-star squad of one-off cameos for his final Marvel Studios project.
James Gunn's "Wonderful" Guardians 3 Cameos
James Gunn is going out with a bang.
Taking to Twitter, the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director shared an image of his pop culture-filled cart while noting that he will be "shooting some wonderful cameos" today that will make "true Guardians fans" happy.
"Day 29. The Space Cruiser, Rick & Morty’s ship. It lights up. The cart is getting crowded. PS Today we are shooting some wonderful cameos for true Guardians fans."
Who is Joining Guardians Vol. 3?
The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has had no shortage of colossal cameos. The first two films featured scenes with Seth Green as Howard the Duck, Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord, and Miley Cyrus as the voice of Mainframe.
While some of the aforementioned talent will be reprising their roles in Vol. 3, the threequel looks poised to add more first-time names to the ensemble. Legendary actor Kevin Bacon is rumored for an upcoming Marvel Studios project, with either of the imminent Guardians of the Galaxy entries being the likely landing spot. The X-Men: First Class actor has emphasized that he would "love the idea" of joining the franchise in the past.
Aside from Bacon, the cameo potential is largely unknown. Friends of Gunn like Peacemaker star John Cena or The Suicide Squad's Margot Robbie are on the table. The Flash actor Ezra Miller shot his Peacemaker surprise appearance on the set of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Even fellow directors who already have MCU roles, like Taika Waititi, could show up for the final installment.
Regardless of who these "wonderful cameos" are played by, fans should expect their roles to be deep-cut characters within Guardians comic lore.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 arrives in theaters on May 5, 2023.
MCU Writer, Editor, Podcaster
