Karen Gillan (Nebula) says Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is “amazing” and “bittersweet”

After the events of Avengers: Endgame, we haven’t seen nearly enough of our favorite cosmic heroes, the Guardians of the Galaxy, but that’s all about to change. Later this year, we’ll see them appear in Thor: Love and Thunder and then again in the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. And then next year, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will mark the end of an era. According to Karen Gillan — who’s played Thanos’ cyborg daughter Nebula in several movies now — the final chapter will be an emotional rollercoaster.

It may be strange to think about now, but back in 2014 a movie about the Guardians of the Galaxy was considered a risky move. They weren’t the most popular superhero team, and there were plenty of movies Marvel could have chose to make about better-known superheroes. What followed was one of the most beloved Marvel movies ever made, introducing us to the found family that has been the cornerstone of the cosmic side of the franchise for years. The journey isn’t over yet, but a conclusion is coming, and Gillan recently told SYFY that it’ll be a tear-jerker:

"We’re kind of coming to the end of this chapter of the Guardians as we know it. So there’s a bittersweet nostalgic feeling settling in, for sure, as we film it. We’re closing out a chapter so you have to come and watch us close that out. It’s going to be amazing and sad."

Of course, before we reach say goodbye to this iteration of the Guardians, Nebula will first appear in Thor: Love and Thunder, which is still slated to premiere on July 8 despite the fact that there hasn’t even been a teaser trailer released for it yet. But at least Gillan was on-hand to reassure us that the movie shares the signature wacky style of director Taika Waititi. “Thor is going to be so much fun,” she said. “It’s going to be hilarious in that Taika brand of comedy that we all love.”

With Waititi’s track record, I don’t doubt it for a second.

Nebula is “one of the best characters” Karen Gillan has played

Throughout her career, Gillan has had roles in some huge franchises, from Doctor Who to Jumanji, but it’s her role as Nebula that she cites as one of her favorites. Not only due to the stability it brings her for having continuous work, but because she has had the chance to develop her character over a number of years.

“Like I’ve had eight, nine years to evolve this character now, which has been so amazing to me,” she told The A.V. Club. “She’s one of my favorite characters I’ve ever played because I’ve just had all the time with her and I just think her upbringing is completely fascinating and her family dynamic with Thanos and Gamora. So I’ve just loved the whole experience.”

"And this time around, she’s really fun to play around with because Thanos has been eliminated from existence. So we get to see a post-Thanos version of Nebula, which I’m excited for people to see. But it’s been really, really wonderful to have this actually for the last almost decade."

Catch the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in December. While very little is currently known of this project, it’s supposed to be a must-watch before the big event, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, on  May 5, 2023!

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