The long-awaited Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 trailer was released yesterday, and fans are busy dissecting it to see how this movie will play out for their favorite misfit group. The Guardians are returning to the big screen after the devastating loss of Gamora from Avengers: Infinity War and a tough go in Avengers: Endgame. The MCU’s non-chronological timeline can be confusing for casual fans, so the trailer might have fans wondering if Gamora is even alive when Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3 takes place. Despite her apparent death in Endgame, certain key moments in the trailer suggest that Gamora will be back… but not the Gamora we know.
It was confirmed by director James Gunn that GotG Vol. 3 is taking place after Infinity War and Endgame, meaning that the Gamora that had spent years as part of the Guardians is still dead. However, Endgame showed viewers an older version of Gamora — from before the events of the first Guardians film — that wasn’t part of the Guardians yet. This Gamora was brought to the present timeline during Endgame. It’s unclear what her whereabouts are now, and what role she’ll play in the upcoming movie. However, certain details in the trailer and beyond could be clues to just how this Gamora will be incorporated into the Guardians.
In Endgame, Peter Quill uses Banatar’s computer to search for the old Gamora, which suggests that she could be important in the future. This was later confirmed by a deleted scene from the conclusion of Endgame, which confirms that 2014 Gamora is roaming free in the present timeline. In the scene, a group of Avengers — including Captain America and Captain Marvel — kneel in honor of Iron Man, and we see Gamora walking away. Gamora is definitely in the same timeline as everyone else now, but questions still remain of what that will mean.
Gamora is featured in the trailer various times, both independently and with other Guardians, suggesting that an important reunion (or would it be considered a first meeting?) has occurred. While it would be great to have the original Guardians back together, there’s undoubtedly going to be tensions between Gamora and her former-not-really-anymore friends. Other highlights of the trailer include a glimpse into Rocket’s past and the introduction of new villains, such as Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary and Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock. The movie will be in theaters across the galaxy on May 5, 2023.