Marvel Studios is leaning heavily into the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Phase 4 and beyond, including entries like Loki on Disney+ and Thor: Love and Thunder coming to theaters next year.
On top of these upcoming entries, James Gunn is set to deliver a huge influx of content thanks to two new Disney+ entries along with 2023's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Gunn's work with the galactic team of misfits has become a worldwide sensation over the last seven years, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 and 2 combining to gross over $1.6 billion at the global box office. Even outside the financial success, Gunn found a way to give fans a team of heroes that instantly became fan-favorites and gained a level of love and praise unlike that of many other MCU heroes.
This popularity is going to become something of an issue with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3; rumors have already teased one of the core characters likely seeing the end of their run in the franchise threequel. Through discussions about this on Twitter, Gunn recently revealed that one particular character who had a sudden rise in popularity over the past few years.
James Gunn on Drax the Destroyer
Recently, director James Gunn responded to a list from Screen Rant on Twitter regarding predictions for different characters' deaths in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Twitter user @unsrscandidate responded to Gunn's post by blatantly telling him to "just to k*ll off Drax" because "no one will care."
Gunn replied to this tweet by revealing data that Dave Bautista's Drax was the sequel's leading character in terms of popularity:
"Literally the most popular character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Consistently scored #1 in every screen test and movie exit poll. So I don't think I'll take your word for it that no one will care."
Drax on Top in Guardians 2
Dave Bautista has enjoyed quite the run of success through four different MCU projects to date, and he's still not done thanks to Thor: Love and Thunder and two new Guardians entries over the next two years.
Bautista's performance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 took the character in a new route, particularly in terms of the comedy used in his rather depressing character development. This was coupled with his newfound relationship with Pom Klementieff's Mantis as they bonded on Ego's planet before teaming up to defeat the villainous Celestial.
While it's still a mystery how long the former WWE star will play the role of Drax the Destroyer after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Marvel is looking forward to giving him a pivotal story after the Guardians, Avengers, and more finally defeated the Mad Titan Thanos. No matter what happens, the intense warrior should have plenty of opportunity to shine in the not-too-distant future.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will debut in theaters on May 5, 2023.
