Guardians of the Galaxy 3: Zoe Saldana Teases ‘Emotional’ End of Franchise

By Jennifer McDonough Posted:
Gamora, Guardians of the Galaxy 3

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Gamora: Daughter of Thanos, sister of Nebula and founding member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Indeed, Gamora's path through the MCU has been an eventful one. First introduced in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, the character's arc is set to come to its conclusion in 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, currently in production with James Gunn at the helm.

Devotees will surely be aware that Gamora was sacrificed by her adoptive father, the Mad Titan Thanos so that he could secure the mysterious and powerful Soul Stone during the events of 2018's Avengers: Infinity War. Gamora, or rather an alternate timeline version of the character, was brought to the present day from the year 2014, in the following Avengers film, of course not having met Peter Quill or lived through her time as a Guardian.

So where does that leave the green-skinned warrior going into the threequel? Actress Zoe Saldana sheds some light:

Gamora's Last Ride With the Guardians

Speaking with Empire (via Slashfilm), Zoe Saldana discussed her "nostalgic" time shooting the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3:

"It's bittersweet; after all those years of complaining about that green make-up, I find myself already nostalgic about it. There's a lot of melancholy here, but also pride that we've achieved something great. James Gunn has written a beautiful story, that's making us emotional even as we shoot it. Omicron plays a doozy on us every other day, but we're getting by and we're happy."

She also detailed Gamora's arc as it has played out over the last eight years as well as its "wonderful" conclusion.

"Oh my God, yes. She began as this warrior wanting to get out of a very toxic parental relationship, then she finds the Guardians who are dysfunctional-ish as well, but they're okay. She learns a lot and finds this bigger purpose. Then her dad comes and f***s everything up. She dies, she's brought back, but it's not her. I think Gamora's a little confused, I have to say! But James [Gunn] has weaved this wonderful story around the character and every character in this third film."

Is There More of Gamora's Story Left To Tell?

From everything being said about Guardians Vol. 3, including the words of director James Gunn, it will serve as a definitive end to the Guardians of the Galaxy as fans know them. So they're likely going to go out with a bang.

But they've had a great run. It should be noted that after Vol. 3, Peter Quill's Guardians will have appeared a grand total of seven times in live-action. Pretty impressive for a team of heroes that nobody had heard about prior to their original movie.

Audiences will remember that in one of the final scenes of Avengers: Endgame, Quill is using his ship's computer to scan for Gamora's location, as she had seemingly disappeared after the final battle. Given that the two were something of an item, that search will probably still be ongoing in Vol. 3 as well as Thor: Love and Thunder, where the team will pop up next.

Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 opens in theaters May 23, 2023, but as mentioned above, the Guardians will first make their presence known in Love and Thunder, as well as The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. 

- In This Article: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Release Date
May 05, 2023
Platform
Theaters
- About The Author: Jennifer McDonough
Jennifer McDonough has been a writer at The Direct since its 2020 launch. She is responsible for the creation of news articles and features. She also has a particular affinity for action figures and merchandise, which she revels in discussing in the articles she writes, when the situation calls for it.