It’s the end for Karen Gillan’s Nebula… but the moment has been prepared for
The galaxy’s worst heroes reunite for one final mission as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hits cinemas in the UK and Ireland tomorrow, and in the United States on Friday. While it’s possible the Guardians brand may continue, and some of these character reappear in some form, it’s clearly the end of an era. Director James Gunn has steered the films so far and created the style for the wilder, stranger, MCU beyond Earth. But now he’s stepping away to embrace his new role as CEO of DC Films. And as he swaps Star-Lord for Superman, many of the cast have suggested they won’t be back any time soon either. Most notable among them for Blogtor Who readers: Doctor Who’s former Amy Pond, Karen Gillan.
Gillan’s surly cyborg, Nebula, has continued to grow and evolve throughout her time in the MCU. She was originally brought in to the original Guardians film for eight days’ filming to provide a kick ass warrior to match fists with Zoe Saldana’s Gamora. But across her six movie appearances (and a Holiday Special) she’s developed from relentless assassin to slightly reluctant superhero. All part of her evolution as she’s learned that she, and other people, actually have worth and value. Karen Gillan’s ability to mix soulful vulnerability with pin point comic timing and violent physicality has been a key part of Nebula’s enduring popularity with fans.
Now, the trailers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 promise an emotional goodbye to the team.
What next for one of Doctor Who’s most successful alumni?
Meanwhile, while doing press for the new film, Karen Gillan has shown she’s already been thinking about what’s next. Speaking to Total Film, she half-joked about Gunn’s move sideways to DC, saying “I always thought that [Batman villain] Poison Ivy was really fun. So maybe something like that would be cool.
“Honestly, if James asked me to play an alien that sits in the background of a shot and doesn’t talk, I would say yes. Because working with him has been one of the great joys of my career so far.”
Poison Ivy’s typically depicted as a statuesque redhead able to steal men’s hearts with a glance (and her mind-controlling pheromones.) So the one-time Doctor Who companion couldn’t be much better casting.
Before even any chance of that, though, audiences will next see her opposite Russell Crowe in the murder mystery thriller Sleeping Dogs.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 opens on the 3rd of May (UK and Ireland) and the 5th of May (United States)
