‘Guardians’ Writer/Director James Gunn Says a ‘Legendary Star-Lord’ Movie Might Actually Happen
Gunn floated the idea during his director’s commentary for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’, admitting that he and star Chris Pratt had discussed it several times.
Marvel Studio's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.' Photo courtesy of Marvel.com.
As moviegoers, we’ve long learned to wait around through and after the credits for Marvel films, which often tend to tease future stories or throw in an extra joke or two.
From the sounds of new statements made by writer/director James Gunn on the director’s commentary for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’, the post-credit scene from the final part of his trilogy could serve as both.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
SPOILER ALERT here for anyone who has not seen the movie.
After the credits of ‘Vol. 3’ have rolled, we catch up with Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill (AKA Star-Lord), who at the end of the movie, announces that he’s leaving a life of high adventure in outer space to look up what remains of his family in Earth.
Rocking up at his grandfather’s (Gregg Henry) house, he has an emotional reunion with his one main living relative and is later seen sharing breakfast with the man (reading a newspaper whose front page boasts a story about Kevin Bacon’s experiences with alien abduction, a fun nod to the ‘Guardians’ Holiday Special' that Gunn shot around the same time as the new movie).
And following that? A title card that reads, “The legendary Star-Lord will return…”
Now, we’re sure many fans’ minds were turned more towards the idea that Quill will be back as part of one of the big MCU team-up movies (two ‘Avengers’ outings are on the way in 2026 and 2027) or possibly popping up to cameo in some other character’s film, as he and some of the other Guardians did in ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’.
Yet Gunn’s words point towards a Star-Lord stand-alone.
What did Gunn say about the potential spin-off?
(L to R) James Gunn and Chris Pratt attend the 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood CA on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages.
Here’s what Gunn had to stay about a Star-Lord movie, as reported by The Direct:
“We always want to give somebody a little something special. And Chris and I, forever, have talked about how great it would be to be able to do a ‘Legendary Star-Lord’ movie, a story with Star-Lord on Earth trying to adapt to the environment of Earth in the same way that somebody else might try to adapt to the alien environment of outer space. He’s a fish out of water in just kind of regular water. So, I can’t wait to see it.”
Related Article: Director James Gunn and Chris Pratt Talk 'Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3'
Gunn’s future
Writer and director James Gunn at Los Angeles premiere of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.'
It’s key there that Gunn says he can’t wait to see it rather than make it. Which would make sense since he’s a little busy for the foreseeable future. Gunn is co-chief of DC Studios, overseeing (alongside producer Peter Safran) Warner Bros. Discovery’s DC Comics-based movie and TV output.
And as a filmmaker, he’s in the midst of gearing up to shoot a new Superman film, ‘Superman: Legacy’, which will fully kick off his DC universe and recently cast its Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
As for who might take up the mantle of a Star-Lord movie, that’s a mystery for now. And we’d stress that Marvel has made no official announcement of any future ‘Guardians’ films or spin-off, so despite the source, treat this one as still a rumor for now.
(L to R) Writer and director James Gunn and Chris Pratt from 'Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.'
Other Movies Similar to ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3:’
- ‘Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014)
- ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' (2017)
- 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018)
- ‘Avengers: Endgame' (2019)
- 'The Suicide Squad' (2021)
- 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' (2022)
- 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (2022)
Buy Tickets: 'Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3' Movie Showtimes
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Witten and directed by James Gunn, the Sci-Fi action adventure comedy 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ is scheduled for release from Marvel Studios on May 5th 2023.
