Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 “It’s not about saving the universe, it’s about protecting yourself from the Guardians,” says James Gunn – Exclusive Image

You have to give it to the Guardians of the Galaxy – for a bunch of intergalactic holes they saved the world one group. They started against Kree fundamentalists, battled Ravagers, defeated Peter Quill’s evil Heavenly Father, and defeated Thanos himself, saving planets, people, and entire universes along the way. Not bad for a demi-human obsessed with 80s music, a pair of misfit warriors, a talking tree and an explosive raccoon. But the desire to guardians of the galaxy vol. 3 – not just the final outing of this lineup of Guardians, but writer-director James Gunn’s farewell to the MCU – will be something else. In the midst of all the cosmic chaos and blockbusters, flight. 3 it is meant to be the most intimate and emotional Guardians of the Galaxy Always. as Gunn says Empire“It’s not about saving the universe, it’s about Guardians saving themselves.”

And there is a lot to save. On the one hand, this appears to be a heavily Rocket Raccoon-centric story, tracing our furry friend’s devastating history with Chukwudi’s highly evolutionary villain Iwuji, a mad scientist who presides over the mysterious “Counter-Earth,” where he specializes. . in the creation of hybrid creatures. “The High Evolutionary is one of my favorite Marvel villains,” Gunn says. “I’ve always been a big fan of [1932 film] the island of lost souls. He’s like a Dr. Moreau from outer space. He’s an obnoxious character, frankly.” In addition to revealing more of Rocket’s backstory, The High Evolutionary also heralds the arrival of the anthropomorphic otter Lylla, the highly anticipated debut of Cosmo The Space Dog (now voiced by borate 2by Maria Bakalova), plus the introduction of Adam Warlock by Will Poulter, the subject of ridicule in a flight. 2 Post-credit sequence.

At the time, it was growing in a cocoon, overseen by Elizabeth Debicki’s golden-skinned ruler, Ayesha. He now he was born into the MCU for real. “James and I have been discussing playing him, at least at this early stage, as a kid,” Poulter jokes of the fan-favorite comic. “As a young man he enters the world, trying to develop your moral compass. There was a lot of comedy in there, but also real pathos, bone-to-bone drama.

And, of course, our heroes will have to help save Star-Lord from Chris Pratt, who, like any longtime MCU hero, has gone through emotional upheaval over time. He’s in a “depressed state” here, says Pratt, which isn’t surprising, since his romantic partner Gamora was killed. Avengers: Infinity War, and now exists in the universe as an older version of herself, with no memory of her time with Quill or the other Guardians. She “she lives in a world where Gamora has no idea who she is. The love of his life is gone,” Pratt said. “It made him drink a lot. He’s not the best leader. of themselves as they fight against each other and for themselves.”It’s a trilogy,” Gunn says of the bigger picture. “The first movie is about the mother, the second is about the father, and the third is about yourself. the overall story Get ready: the final chapter is about to unfold.

Read the full world exclusively from Empire guardians of the galaxy vol. 3 Cover Story: Talking to writer-director James Gunn and Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji and Will Poulter on the emotional farewell to the most colorful and rich character yet in the MCU. images – in the next June 2023 issue, on newsstands Thursday 13 April. become a Empire member now to access the full issue on release day, or pre-order the number online now here. guardians of the galaxy vol. 3 arrives in UK cinemas from 3 May.