Six years after their last solo movie, here are the most important events for what happened to the Guardians of the Galaxy team after Vol. 2.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marks the first movie starring the Guardians of the Galaxy in six years, and a lot has happened to the team since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The last time audiences saw the cosmic team lead a Marvel Cinematic Universe was in 2017 when Star-Lord and the team battled his father, Ego. The MCU release directly set up what would come for the team in the future, including having Adam Warlock debut in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. Originally meant to come out in May 2020, the sequel endured several setbacks thanks to Disney firing and rehiring James Gunn.
The long wait to see how James Gunn wraps up his Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy has not meant that the popular cosmic superteam has been left on the MCU’s sidelines. Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Drax, Groot, Nebula, and Mantis have appeared in a variety of projects since the 2017 sequel. These appearances have allowed the MCU to make substantial revelations about the team and dramatically change how the group interacts in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. Before the Phase 5 film arrives, here are the biggest events that happened to the team after Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
7.The Guardians Split Up & Fought Thanos In Infinity War
The first major event for the team came in Avengers: Infinity War when the close-knit group split up to fight Thanos. This section of their story started with the team responding to the Asgardian distress call after Thanos’ attack and meeting Thor. Rocket and Groot decided to go with Thor to Nidavellir with the hopes of creating a weapon that was strong enough to defeat Thanos. Avengers: Infinity War showed the beginning of Thor and Rocket’s friendship through this story, while Groot’s arm was used as the handle for Stormbreaker. They bought fought alongside Thor in Wakanda against Thanos’ army but could not stop him.
What happened to the Guardians of the Galaxy team after Vol. 2 also included Star-Lord, Gamora, Mantis, and Drax going on their own hunt for Thanos. They traveled to Knowhere to try and get the Reality Stone before Thanos could. It was here that the team lost Gamora to her father. Star-Lord, Mantis, and Drax then traveled to Titan after receiving a message from Nebula to meet her there to fight Thanos. The team encountered Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man at this time and devised a plan to fight the Mad Titan. They were nearly victorious before Star-Lord broke his plan, which allowed Thanos to win.
6.Gamora Died In Infinity War & Returned Through Time Travel
Gamora being taken by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War proved to be a pivotal moment for the team because of what happened to her after. Thanos tortured Nebula until Gamora told him where the Soul Stone was located, and she accompanied him to Vormir. This proved to be a costly for decision for Gamora, as Red Skull told Thanos that he had to sacrifice something he loved for the Infinity Stone. Despite the way he treated her, Vormir accepted Gamora as Thanos’ “soul for a soul” sacrifice. Learning about Gamora’s death is why Star-Lord began attacking Thanos as he was heartbroken after losing the woman he loved.
The MCU used Avengers: Endgame‘s time travel to bring Gamora back to life with a twist. Instead of the 2018 version of her coming back, the movie had a 2014 Gamora travel to the main MCU timeline after a 2014 Thanos learned about the Avengers’ time travel heist plan. This version of Gamora had never met the Guardians of the Galaxy, meaning she is not in love with Star-Lord. While she did still turn on Thanos to help save the galaxy, Gamora left Earth in Avengers: Endgame‘s ending instead of joining the Guardians team. This leads her to become the leader of the Ravagers in Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
5.Nebula & Rocket Helped The Avengers Undo Thanos’ Snap
Thanos’ snap in Avengers: Infinity War is one of the defining moments when discussing what happened to the Guardians team after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Thanos dusting half of all life across the universe meant Groot, Star-Lord, Drax, and Mantis all vanished after the snap. This left Nebula and Rocket as the lone surviving members of the Guardians of the Galaxy team in Avengers: Endgame. They reunited once Captain Marvel rescued Iron Man and Nebula and brought them to Earth. After spending some time helping bring some order to the galaxy, Nebula and Rocket joined the Avengers for their time travel heist plot.
Rocket and Nebula played critical roles in Avengers: Endgame. Rocket helped Tony Stark assemble the time travel machine and went with Thor to get the Reality Stone. Nebula accompanied War Machine to get the Power Stone, but her presence in 2014 is what alerted the 2014 Thanos to the Avengers’ plans. This included Nebula being taken by Thanos and replaced in the main timeline by a 2014 version of herself who was more evil. Ultimately, it was the MCU’s main Nebula who helped convince Gamora to defect. With Nebula and Rocket’s help in stealing the Infinity Stones, Thanos’ snap was reversed and their Guardians teammates returned.
4.Thor Joined The Guardians of the Galaxy (& Then Left)
Another big development for what happened to the team after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 included Thor becoming a Guardians member. He joined the Guardians of the Galaxy at the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame and remained with them throughout the beginning of Thor: Love and Thunder. Thor and the Guardians’ adventures together last for about a year according to the MCU timeline. It is during this time that Thor regains his typical Asgardian physique and the Guardians resume their duties as protectors of the galaxy. However, Thor leaves the team relatively quickly in Thor: Love and Thunder as he pursues Gorr the God Butcher.
3.The Guardians Team Establishes A New Base & Gets New Ship
The Guardians of the Galaxy team begins to take new shape after Thor’s exit, as they begin expanding and setting up a new base. The team plays a major role in helping rebuild Knowhere after Thanos destroyed it. The floating head of a dead Celestial is shown to be their base of operation in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holliday Special. The full team gathers here between missions, which includes Kraglin meeting up with them and Cosmo the Spacedog helping out. Their efforts to grow have also included adding another ship to their fleet, with The Bowie joining The Milano and The Benatar as the team’s main ship.
2.Drax & Mantis Kidnapped Kevin Bacon For Star-Lord
What happened to the Guardians team after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 included a mission to kidnap Kevin Bacon. The basis of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special included Drax and Mantis creating a plan to go to Earth and kidnap the movie star. Their intention was to give Kevin Bacon to Star-Lord as a Christmas present. Drax and Mantis are successful in taking the Footloose star and learn some valuable lessons about Christmas along the way.
1.Star-Lord Learns Mantis Is His Sister
Another important moment for the Guardians of the Galaxy team came with the reveal that Mantis is Star-Lord’s sister. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special confirmed the popular theory that emerged thanks to Mantis being raised by Ego. Mantis has known the truth ever since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but she chose not to share it with the team leader until several years later. The confirmation that Mantis is Star-Lord’s sister creates another familial tie for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to potentially explore.
