While fans are eagerly awaiting the launch of Marvel's 2022 slate, anticipation is also building for the studio's 2023 line-up, particularly James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Even though six years will have separated Vol. 2 from the Phase 4 threequel, the Guardians were significant players in Avengers: Infinity War, and Karen Gillan's Nebula proved integral to 2019's Avengers: Endgame and the conclusion of the Infinity Saga.
While Endgame was the last time audiences saw the Guardians on-screen, Thor: Love and Thunder will change all that as the crew is confirmed to make an appearance in the Taika Waititi film this July.
However, while Thor 4 is likely to set the stage for Vol. 3, interviews and social media posts have already given fans an idea of what to expect from the third and final Guardians film.
And now, a new revealing post from Nebula's Karen Gillan teased an idea of the danger that awaits the fan-favorite ensemble in 2023.
Guardians 3 Makeup Implies Danger for Nebula
As filming continues for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Karen Gillan shared a photo of herself in battle-worn Nebula makeup to her Instagram.
Even though the actress covered her mouth and one side of her face, from what can be seen, it appears that Nebula has sustained some damage and is covered in what appears to be black burn marks or residue.
The actress shared the following quote with her story:
"I'm on around makeup 170th application, but I appreciate the cake anyway."
Will Nebula Survive Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
While director James Gunn is keeping the plot of the threequel under wraps, what he and the cast have confirmed is that Vol. 3 will be emotional, and not everyone will survive.
Since Nebula is arguably the most developed Guardian due to her Endgame arc, it's hard to deny that, from a screenwriting perspective, she's a likely candidate to be killed off.
While originally an antagonist in the original 2014 film, Vol. 2 revealed more of Nebula's tragic past and her complicated relationship with Gamora. Then, in Endgame, her transformation from villain to hero was complete when she killed a Variant of her former self to save a Variant of Gamora.
Since the new Gamora, along with Star-Lord and Rocket, still have a ways to go to complete their arcs, and Groot has the I Am Groot Disney+ series in the works, it's possible that Karen Gillan's battle-damaged makeup is a bad sign of things to come for the former Daughter of Thanos.
Still, it's hard to predict anything at this point, especially since Will Poulter's Adam Warlock and the High Evolutionary are expected to mix things up. Also, in addition to the Guardians in Thor 4, the crew also has a Holiday Special set to stream on Disney+ later this year.
With so much story left to tell, anything can happen with Gunn's Guardians; but if Karen Gillan's photo confirms anything, it's that this cosmic ensemble are in for an uphill battle come May 5, 2023.
