The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy has come to a satisfying end in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. With nine years of storytelling and seven appearances across the MCU, the Guardians’ story culminates in epic fashion. With loads of future potential set up, here is our explanation of Guardians of the Galaxy 3 ending.
*Warning: Spoilers ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*
Another one bites the dust
The main conflict of this story surrounds the High Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji, and his ties to Rocket Raccoon’s (Bradley Cooper) past. The story concludes in an epic battle and moment of revenge when the Guardians of the Galaxy unite to take down The High Evolutionary in an onslaught. At the end of the one-sided affair, Gamora (Zoe Saldana) rips off Iwuji’s mask and leaves him on the ground, revealing his scarred face, thus ending his journey. Despite the fact we don’t see him die in the Guardians of the Galaxy 3 ending, it is assumed that he perishes in the ships’ explosion, marking the end of one of Marvel‘s most terrifying villains.
The team goes their separate ways in the Guardians of the Galaxy 3 ending
Despite all the rumors and fan theories about who was going to die in this movie, every single one of our Guardians survives the film! Although all these characters get their peaceful endings, it still means the end of the team. In the epilogue, the Guardians have a tear-jerking conversation where Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) reveals he will be leaving the team, announcing Rocket as the new captain.
Peter Quill then returns to Earth for the first time since he was abducted by Yondu. This marks a big emotional moment for Peter, reuniting with his grandfather after all these years. James Gunn has built to this moment throughout this entire trilogy, and it pays off with loads of tears.
Don’t stop believing
During this conversation, Mantis (Pom Klementieff) announces that she is leaving the team to discover what she wants. After being under Ego’s control, then following the Guardians for so long, this is a big step for her. She’s been putting her full effort into other people and now with her newfound strength from the Guardians, she’s finally betting on herself and following her own path.
With two members already leaving and Gamora rejoining the Ravagers, Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Drax (Dave Bautista) vow to stay on Knowhere to help build the city they never had. For Nebula, she searched her entire life for a place to call home and a family, and she’s found that with the Guardians and Knowhere. Drax finally finds his role, after being the Destroyer for so long trying to avenge the death of his wife and daughter, he finds his place on Knowhere as Drax the dad.
Dog days are over in the Guardians of the Galaxy 3 ending
This is not only a sad ending, but a very happy one too. It marks the end of this beloved team of Guardians, but it in a very heartwarming way. Looking at a project like Avengers: Endgame, it ends multiple characters’ story in a somber way which has had a lasting emotional impact. However, this story does the opposite while still managing to give the viewers that large emotional impact worthy of tears.
When we first meet the Guardians, they’re all selfish characters due to the fact they’ve never had to look after anyone but themselves. Now they are all leaving the team for self-reasons. However, none of which are selfish at all. Mantis and Peter are learning to walk on their own, and this version of Gamora finds her family! This serves as a masterful ending to one of the best group dynamics of all time, and the emotions of the scene hit hard, delivering a beautiful Guardians of the Galaxy 3 ending.
The dog days are over.
What did you think of the Guardians of the Galaxy 3 ending? Let me know on Twitter and make sure to check out Fandom Academy this week for all of our spoiler-filled Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 thoughts!
