Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has officially wrapped filming, an exciting yet emotional time for all involved in the production, especially for James Gunn. Now the director has taken to social media to share a heartfelt farewell to his time working on the Marvel Studios films.
Gunn has been collaborating with Marvel Studios for nearly a decade, as he first hopped on board the MCU back in 2014 to direct the smash hit Guardians of the Galaxy. That film changed the landscape of the MCU in the best way possible, as it opened new doors to otherworldly characters and places and really expanded the cinematic universe on a cosmic level. He would then follow up with another hit with 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
After confirming production has concluded, Gunn tweeted out a farewell message that included the slate from the film's last shot. "After over 100 days of shooting & over 3000 shots, this is the slate for the final shot of #GotGVol3, presented to me by the camera crew. It was an easy shot of Rocket seated, 1st with @seangunn, & then nothing there, & took everything in me not to break down sobbing on the spot," Gunn shared. Gunn would continue to add that while he will be continuing to work and be with the crew until the film's release next May, the last shot on set was a reminder of how temporary life can be and that one should always cherish the present moment and the time spent with loved ones. "Again, I’ll still be working with them over the next year until release, but shooting that last shot was a reminder of the warm impermanence of life & love, & how that impermanence makes it so precious, so valuable, & is a good reason to be grateful for what I have right now."
After receiving critical acclaim for his work on both Guardians of the Galaxy films, it was a no-brainer that Gunn would return for a third. But after Disney parted ways with Gunn back in 2018 due to old, controversial tweets, many fans were uncertain when and if a new Guardians film would even come to be. But following his sincere apologies and his success with DC's The Suicide Squad, Gunn has returned to the Marvel family to deliver what appears to be one epic finale.
From Gunn's emotional comments and knowing how the film will serve as the final chapter to the Guardians films, there's no doubt the threequel can contend to be one of the MCU's most emotional and epic stories. While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is shrouded in mystery, what is known is that Will Poulter will make his MCU debut as Adam Warlock, who was briefly teased in Vol. 2's post-credits scene and will be a big focus in the third film.
Vol. 3 will also star Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Vin Diesel as Groot, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha, and Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri. Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special should also keep plenty of fans satisfied in the meantime, as it is set to release later this year on Disney Plus.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is set to hit theaters on May 5, 2023.
Source: James Gunn/Twitter