The Guardians have become some of the most beloved characters in the MCU. Endgame served as a definitive end to a decade-long saga, but it also brought about many beginnings. In the case of the Guardians, we last saw them getting ready to set out on the probable quest for Gamora. Behind-the-scenes drama with James Gunn pushed back the original release of GotG Vol. 3 for after Phase 4.
Unfortunately, Phase 4’s humongous schedule hasn’t even begun yet. This leaves us with plenty of space to wonder what could happen, and what fans would love to see next time the Guardians pop-up on-screen. Here are 10 Guardians of the Galaxy fan theories we wish were true.
Rocket finds love
In the comics, Rocket Raccoon has a soulmate. Not a raccoon, but an otter-girl named Lylla. But how is this relevant to the MCU? Back in the first Guardians movie, eagle-eyed fans noticed an interesting detail during the Usual Suspects-like prison lineup. As each hero was presented, all known information on said individual popped up on a holographic screen below.
Rocket’s info revealed the names of two past associates: Groot and Lylla. Therefore, she exists in the MCU. James Gunn shot down Lylla rumors for Vol. 2 but said nothing about Vol. 3. There are even rumors that Lady Gaga is set to (once again) play Bradley Copper’s love interest, except this time in the shape of a talking otter.
Brother Peter and Sister Mantis
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, we simultaneously meet Star-Lord’s father/villain, Ego, and his servant Mantis. Before Ego goes “full Marvel villain” for the final battle, he reveals that he has had children with women from many different planets, searching for one that might possess his Celestial genes.
One of the women depicted looks a lot like Mantis. Or in this case, Mantis’ hypothetical mother. In other words, Star-Lord and Mantis may actually be siblings. Ego killed all of his un-powered children, but Mantis is quite powerful. She put Thanos to sleep, after all. The whole “we’re not friends, we’re family” speech may be more literal than we thought.
Love, not fear
When Rocket takes Groot on a separate quest to Nidavellir, Star-Lord is quick to remark that his fellow Guardian is too scared to face Thanos. Later, when Thanos arrives in Wakanda, Rocket is one of the only heroes to not face him. This all seems to paint the raccoon as a coward. However, the reason may actually lie in his love for Groot.
The Guardians were responsible for raising Baby/Teen Groot, but Rocket was always the main care-giver. James Gunn revealed that Groot’s last words to Rocket before being dusted were “Dad?” Plus, when the Titan’s army rains fire during the final battle in Endgame, Rocket risks his life to shield Groot from harm. He’s no coward, he’s a father.
Mantis’ realization
Before GotG Vol. 2, Mantis had lived her entire life under Ego’s wing. As his only companion, she acquired full knowledge of Ego’s Horrific Expansion Plan. As a clearly good-natured creature, why did she let her master kill so many innocents? This theory lies in the scene where Drax reminisces about his daughter with Mantis.
When she attempts to “feel his feelings,” she bursts into tears, suddenly deciding to tell Drax the truth about Ego. This was her first personal experience with deep grief, a feeling she was clearly not prepared for. It finally gave her a clear understanding of the emotions that come with death and opened her eyes to Ego’s vileness.
Peter Rogers Quill
A recent Reddit theory from u/chill_bishop talks about a crazy, yet possible, blood relationship between two unlikely heroes. In Captain America: TFA, during Steve’s theatrical stint, we get a montage of him traveling to different stages throughout the country. At one point, Steve bumps into a woman and the camera lingers on them for a while.
We never see the woman again. Or do we? A few years later in Guardians of the Galaxy, the same actress plays a dying Meredith Quill. Some believe that the unnecessary focus on this random woman in TFA indicates that something happened between the two. If she was Meredith Quill that would make Steve Rogers Star-Lord’s grandfather.
Groot of Yggdrasil
In Thor, we get a brief explanation of Yggdrasil, the “World Tree” that binds the Nine Realms together. There aren’t many notable trees in the MCU, so it makes sense that fans have been wanting to connect it to Groot in some way. On Reddit, u/JohnCalvinHobbes came up with a believable theory on how these two might relate.
In Infinity War, we’re introduced to Stormbreaker. Not only is it an extremely powerful weapon, but it is also able to summon the Bifrost, making it possible to travel anywhere within the Nine Realms. With that said, Groot is immediately able to bind himself to the ax. This, plus the fact that no one seems to know what Groot is, seems to point towards him being a possible descendant of Yggdrasil.
Not “the Chosen One”
In Guardians Vol. 2, reveals that out of Ego’s countless children, only Star-Lord gained his father’s Celestial genes. But it feels too coincidental. A human who ends up leading a team of galaxy-saving misfits just happened to be Ego’s only “true” child? Nonetheless, there is probably a very obvious reason why Quill ended up being “the chosen one.”
None of Ego’s other children reached adulthood. Star-Lord, however, was a fully-formed adult the first time he met his father. In other words, the reason Quill triumphed where all others failed is probably Yondu deciding not to deliver him to Ego, giving him time to develop his Celestial powers properly.
The High Evolutionary
This theory comes courtesy of Reddit user u/secsmachine. The Guardians have faced 3 main foes since their MCU introduction. Ronan, (the man who killed Drax’s family), Ego, (Star-Lord’s evil dad), and Thanos, (Gamora and Nebula’s abusive father). Apart from Groot, the only member of the squad that has no direct correlation to any villain is Rocket.
With James Gunn’s public love for the raccoon and the previously mentioned Lylla rumor, many believe that Vol. 3 will be a more Rocket-centred movie. We could finally learn his mysterious origin story. That’s where the High Evolutionary comes in. A comic book villain whose defining trait is his obsession with genetic manipulation. The theory states that he will be revealed as Rocket’s creator and will serve as the movie’s antagonist.
Drax’s invisibility
In the midst of the non-stop insanity that is Infinity War, there are a couple of less-threatening hilarious moments in the movie. One particular scene sees Drax interrupt a romantic moment between Star-Lord and Gamora. He reveals he’s been watching them for an hour, completely still, believing he achieved invisibility. But this might be more than just a simple joke.
In both the first and second Guardians movies, there is a running bit where Baby Groot stops moving completely when Drax looks at him, which ends with Drax ignoring him altogether. Many theorize that Drax seriously believes he can become invisible, due to the fact that he himself can’t see Groot in those situations. Either due to bad eyesight or because his vision is based on movement.
Guardians no more?
James Gunn has stated that Vol. 3 will serve as a conclusion to this iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Some say they will all die heroically, others state that a few will simply leave to join the Avengers. And some look no further than a GotG Vol.2 post-credits scene. One where we catch a glimpse of the live-action versions of the first-ever Guardians of the Galaxy (in comics, that is).
Before heroes like Star-Lord or Rocket even existed, the Guardians consisted of Charlie-27, Starhawk, and Mainframe, among others. These last two were played briefly by Sylvester Stallone and Miley Cyrus, respectively. Apart from that, another unlikely candidate may be Howard the Duck. Not only did he have brief cameos in both GotG movies, but he was also spotted during Endgame’s final battle.
