What is the meaning of the End-Credits Scenes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is finally out! The final installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy hit theatres on 5 May 2023. After Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, all fans who are yet to watch the movie will be relieved to know that the film has received positive reviews from critics!

The movie boasts high stakes, with the plot revolving around a mission that, if unsuccessful, could lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them. In the film, Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamorra, must rally his team to defend the universe and protect one of their own.

Before you read any more, let me give you a second warning regarding spoilers of the movie. This article contains major spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and you’ll be thankful not to have the fantastic film spoiled. Those who have already watched the movie, read on!

Like many other Marvel Movies, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 had crucial end-credits scenes that hint at the future of the Guardians and what it could mean for the larger MCU. Along with these arises several questions about the franchise’s future. So, let us dive right into it.

1. What happens to the members of the Guardians of the Galaxy?

Surprisingly, every Guardians of the Galaxy member is alive and safe at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The movie is the last in the trilogy and sees most of the members of the superhero group retiring.

As it was touted as the last film in the Guardians of the Galaxy series, it was not wrong of the audience to expect at least a member’s death in the movie.

In the film, Star-Lord nearly suffocates to death in space, signaling that our negative expectations will become true. However, at the very last moment, he is saved by none other than Adam Warlock, that too in a biblical fashion. Rocket is also saved, and the rest of the group makes it out alive in the movie.

However, by the end, most of them have decided to opt for retirement. Star-Lord decides that his hiding away from the Earth has gone on for long enough and wishes to reunite with his estranged grandfather.

Mantis desires to explore the cosmos and find her niche within it, while Nebula and Drax decide to stay back on Knowhere to help rebuild the settlement. Nebula even vows to bring them to a new age of prosperity.

Drax chooses to be a parental figure to the children rescued from the High Evolutionary, and Gamorra (from the alternate timeline) decides to remain with the Ravagers.

Groot and Rocket are the only members that remain part of the Guardians. It seemed impossible for the Guardians to go on, as most of the members had left the ship, but Star-Lord gifts Rocket his precious Zune player, declaring the latter as the new leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Immediately, we know that our beloved superhero group will be back, but with new recruits.

2. Who are the new Guardians of The Galaxy? What happens in the mid-credits scene?

The mid-credits scene of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 revealed the team’s new members. Clad in the classic space uniforms seen earlier in the movie, we see Rocket, Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo, Adam Warlock (yes!), and Phyla as the new protectors of the universe.

The mid-credits scene opens up on a lonely, arid alien planet where we see the latest Guardians of the Galaxy chilling. Rocket leads the group, and of course, his beloved companion Groot (who is now massive) is there, busy taking a nap as the others are in conversation.

The first of the four new members is Kraglin, now a formidable opponent to anyone after having mastered the use of Yondu’s powerful weapon- the arrow. Of course, his companion, too, is present: Cosmo, the psychic dog who, throughout the movie, kept reprimanding Kraglin for calling her bad.

The third new and unexpected member is Adam Warlock, whose part in the group proves that he has now changed permanently for good. His saving Star-Lord was only the first step in the transformation.

The group’s final member is the most unexpected out of the lot, as she didn’t have much screen time in the movie, and much is not known about her. This mysterious member is Phyla, who the original Guardians rescued in the film.

As the latest Guardians chat casually in the mid-credits scene, we see a horde of aggressive monsters charging toward them. Kraglin boasts that he could take out all of them with his arrow; however, there would be no fun for the rest of the group.

Right before going into battle, Rocket plays Redbone’s ‘Come and Get Your Love,’ which, if you remember, was the first song we heard in the series, signaling a new beginning for the heroes.

3. Will Star-Lord be back in Marvel? What happens in the post-credits scene?

The post-credits scene of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 sees Peter Quill finally having a laidback chat with his estranged grandfather. This scene then cuts to “The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return,” teasing a return for the character in the Multiverse Saga, perhaps even in a solo film.

Though initially, the post-credits scene seems like a comedic sequence that Marvel often inserts during or after the end credits of its movies, it is only an intro to the declaration of Star-Lord’s return to the Marvel movies.

In the scene, we see Peter and his grandfather chitchatting about everyday human stuff. The newspaper in his grandfather’s hands reveals an article that reads “Alien Abduction: Kevin Bacon Tells All” Referencing the events of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

This clip then cuts to white with a title that signifies Star Lord’s return. This could be a solo adventure for Quill, something that all of us in the audience have been hoping for since the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Even if it is not, we can be rest assured that Peter will return in a future Marvel film, possibly in the upcoming Avengers films.

The credits scenes of the movie show us that a farewell to the franchise does not mean a goodbye to our favorite characters. We can wait in peace, at last!

Stay tuned to Cine Dope for the latest updates on Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3!

4. About Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The High Evolutionary, Rocket’s creator, emerges to reclaim his creation threatening to destroy the Guardians to get what he wants. Star-Lord must lead his team and protect one of their own while dealing with his emotional turmoil over Gamora. The stakes are even higher as Adam Warlock hunts the team on the orders of The Sovereign’s leader, Ayesha.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 is set to hit theaters on May 5, 2023. Previous cast members will reprise their roles, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, and Pom Klementieff. Will Poulter and Chukwudi Iwuji will join the cast as Adam Warlock and The High Evolutionary.