Every Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Character, Ranked By How Likely They Are To Die

On May 5, 2023, the final installment in James Gunn's hugely popular "Guardians of the Galaxy" trilogy will land in theaters. Gunn has made no secret of the fact that "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" will close the book on this chapter of the MCU, and it could be the last time we see some of the Guardians themselves, including Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Drax (Dave Bautista), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), Groot (Vin Diesel), and Nebula (Karen Gillan). In 2022, before he premiered the movie's teaser trailer at San Diego Comic-Con, Gunn told the crowd: "This is the end of that story. I'm sorry. Some stories have an end. It doesn't mean everybody dies."

Of course, that doesn't mean nobody dies. Indeed, Gunn has been equally candid in pointing out that "Vol. 3" will be an emotional rollercoaster for audiences. A few months after SDCC, a Twitter user asked the director to promise the movie won't make them "cry in the theater," to which Gunn simply replied: "um." It's no wonder, then, that many MCU fans have pretty much made their peace with the idea that at least one beloved "Guardians" character will be killed off in "Vol. 3." The question is ... who?

Imagine, if you will, that you're walking down the street. Suddenly, somebody walks up to you and hands you $100 million. "Congratulations!" they say. "It's all yours." What would you do with the money? Burn it? No, obviously not — that'd be madness.

So why would Disney ever kill Groot?

The success of "Guardians of the Galaxy" catapulted Groot into the pop culture zeitgeist; the leading role played by his son, Baby Groot, in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," ensured that he'll remain there until the end of human civilization. Aside from appearing in several other MCU movies, Groot has starred in "I Am Groot," a series of Disney+ shorts, and features on pretty much every form of merchandise ever concocted, from action figures to plush toys to watches and from T-shirts to costumes to whatever the hell this is. In the vast expanse of the multiverse, there is not a single reality — not one — in which Disney gives up all that by killing off Groot now.

It also bears mentioning that, even if the top brass gave the green light to fell everyone's favorite tree, James Gunn would know better than to go through with it. For one thing, he'd risk alienating his audience, as Groot's death in "Vol. 3" would feel premature, unearned, and cruel. Plus, Groot (or at least, a Groot) already died all the way back in the first movie — so why retread old territory? No, it's probably fair to assume Groot is safe. Chances are, he always will be.

Much of "Vol. 3" will revolve around the return of Gamora. Earth-616's Gamora was killed by Thanos in "Avengers: Infinity War" before being replaced by another variant, from Earth-TRN734, in "Avengers: Endgame." After Thanos' (Josh Brolin) defeat in the Battle of Earth, this version of Gamora flees to the stars, closely followed by a despondent — yet determined — Peter Quill. "Thor: Love and Thunder" and "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" both revealed that Quill's hunt has come up fruitless so far, but Gamora, now leading her own band of Ravagers, will finally reunite (sort of) with her old comrades (sort of) in "Vol. 3."

Star-Lord's journey in "Vol. 3" will likely force him to realize that 616-Gamora is not the same as TRN734-Gamora and come to terms with losing the love of his life. Obviously, that's a tragic enough ending for Quill and Gamora's story, and it's extremely unlikely that Gunn will cap it off by capping Gamora; to kill her again would come off as nasty to the point of spite and go against the spirit and tone of the "Guardians" movies.

Like Groot, we also need to consider the simple matter of good storytelling. 616-Gamora's death was a huge moment for both the Guardians team and the greater MCU, and, to many, it is regarded as one of the most memorable and heartbreaking scenes in "Infinity War." There is nothing to be gained from attempting to replicate it — especially when other characters' deaths would feel more appropriate.

Cosmo the Spacedog (Maria Bakalova) is one of the latest additions to the Guardians of the Galaxy. A stalwart member of the team in the comics, Cosmo first appears in a post-credits scene in "Guardians of the Galaxy" before joining the crew properly for "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special." Once a piece in the Collector's collection of specimens and antiquities, Cosmo is recruited by the Guardians around the same time they establish their new base on Knowhere. She isn't given much to do in the "Holiday Special," but it looks as if she'll get to strut her telekinetic stuff as a fully-fledged Guardian in "Vol. 3."

Now, it's almost certain the team will look very different by the time the credits roll on the third "Guardians" movie. Some will have been killed and a few may have gone their separate ways — but it's also possible that the others could lead a new team into the MCU's future. Obviously, nobody has any real idea who will be on the roster, but I'd bet good money Cosmo will be among them. The comic book's Cosmo plays a vital part in numerous "Guardians" stories, and his (the MCU version has been gender-swapped) high intelligence and mind-melting powers are indispensable in keeping Knowhere safe. Any new team will need someone like that, especially if — as seems apparent — they too will be based on Knowhere. For that reason alone, we can probably rest easy knowing that Cosmo the Spacedog will live to fight another day.

After Yondu Udonta's (Michael Rooker) death in "Vol. 2," Kraglin (Sean Gunn), his right-hand man, becomes a full-time member of the Guardians team. Kraglin is set to return in "Vol. 3," of course — mostly because a James Gunn movie isn't a James Gunn movie without brother Sean Gunn — and while the trailers suggest he won't always be present alongside his fellow Guardians, he does at least seem to be involved in one action sequence on Knowhere.

You could feasibly argue that Kraglin's relative absence in these trailers hints that he might be bumped off early on in the movie. That's almost certainly not the case, though, mostly because (and I don't want to be too mean here) Kraglin isn't important enough to kill. Yes, he's a fun character, but he played a very small part in the previous "Guardians" movies, and he's hardly beloved by general audiences. Put simply, his death would lack emotional heft. It's just not worth the hassle.

So what might happen to him? Well, since "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" lays the foundations for a potential friendship between Kraglin and Cosmo, it could be that, after that first set-piece, they'll both remain on Knowhere for most of the movie, if only so "Vol. 3" can give some much-needed attention to the A-list Guardians.

Mantis joined the Guardians midway through "Vol. 2," and, aside from briefly dying alongside half the universe, she has been with them ever since. Unsurprisingly, she appears along with the rest of the team in the "Vol. 3" trailers, in which she gives Peter Quill a pep talk, helps a wounded Drax to safety, and, at one point, looks extremely bummed out about something. Mantis being as lovable as she is, and Pom Klementieff boasting such an uncanny knack to break audiences' hearts, she could theoretically be in line for the chop at some point in "Vol. 3." But I'm not convinced.

The key to Mantis' survival lies in "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special." Early on in the special, she reveals that she and Quill are siblings, having both been sired by the all-powerful Celestial and all-around jerk Ego (Kurt Russell). Later, Mantis informs Quill of their shared parentage. The scene in question makes for one of the most touching moments in the "Holiday Special," as Quill is briefly lifted out of his grief over losing Gamora. "Vol. 3" is obviously going to put Star-Lord through the wringer, especially considering the trajectory of his arc with Gamora, but to give him a sister and tear her away just a few months later feels like a step too far. Gunn promised something emotional, not depressing.

Since the introductions of Nebula and her adopted sister, Gamora, in "Guardians of the Galaxy," their fates have been forever intertwined. Now, with the original Gamora KIA, Nebula holds a similar position on the Guardians lineup: a vicious assassin and deadly warrior who feels surprising affection for her teammates. While you can rest assured the new Gamora won't land on Gunn's "Vol. 3" kill list, Nebula's position is less certain.

Finding her new family over the course of the last few "Guardians" stories, Nebula has slowly opened up. She reconciles with Gamora at the end of "Vol. 2," bonds with the Avengers during "Avengers: Endgame," literally kills her old self in the Battle for Earth, and gives Rocket a touching Christmas present in "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special." It's not unfeasible that this character's logical endpoint is a final sacrifice to save the lives of the people she has come to love ... right?

Maybe, maybe not. Nebula's demise is hardly a given, and I'm tempted to call this one a tentative "survive" — if for no other reason than she still has so much more to offer. Yes, it's true that she has enjoyed some satisfying development so far, and yes, it's true that a sacrifice would be meaningful, but why not go a step further? Could this erstwhile villain one day become a full-blown hero, playing a part in future MCU stories? Could she even become leader of a future Guardians team? These are far more compelling possibilities than death. If you ask me, Marvel won't want to be rid of Nebula just yet.

Adam Warlock's (Will Poulter) introduction to the MCU has been a long time coming. In the comic world, Adam debuted way back in 1967's "Fantastic Four #66," and since then he has been front and center for some of Marvel's most iconic storylines, such as the original "Infinity Gauntlet" event in the early '90s. He's also a leading player in many "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Guardians”-adjacent comics, including 2007's "Annihilation: Conquest." He's kind of a big deal.

Adam was briefly teased in a mid-credits sequence in "Galaxy Vol. 2." The MCU version is created by Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) and the Sovereign as a weapon designed for one purpose: to destroy the Guardians. "Vol. 3" will finally unleash the cosmic might of Adam, presumably as the Sovereign set him loose on Peter and company. That said, the comic book Adam eventually becomes one of the universe's greatest heroes, so it's very possible he'll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Guardians before the movie ends.

As far as death goes, this could go either way. If — and it's a big if — Adam's role in "Vol. 3" is strictly antagonistic, then he stands much less chance of getting out alive. MCU villains rarely outlast their own movies, and it seems like the franchise is too busy with the whole Kang thing to bring in another multi-story big bad right now. If he does join the Guardians, however, then he's a shoo-in to survive: A last-act sacrifice will mean little coming from a new character, and Adam's potential as a hero going forward is almost limitless. Let's call it 50/50.

Peter Quill — sorry, Star-Lord — is the heart and soul of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Although it appears that Rocket is the star of the show for "Galaxy Vol. 3," there's little doubt Quill will shine once more as the team's irreverent leader. But will "Vol. 3" be his last hurrah?

Let's put it this way: Nobody's expecting Star-Lord to kick the bucket in the final "Guardians" movie, but I don't think anyone would be surprised if he did, either. It stands to reason that the Guardian(s) who die in "Vol. 3" will probably go out in a blaze of self-sacrificial glory — and if that's the case, Quill would be a prime candidate. Think about his journey so far. In "Guardians of the Galaxy," Quill, a loner taken from his homeworld, finds a family; in "Vol. 2," he rejects his biological father in favor of them; and in "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," he learns that his chosen sister is also a blood relative. Family is clearly his arc's defining motif, and it wouldn't be out of the question for Quill to give his life to save his fellow Guardians.

Then again, you could also say that learning to let go of Gamora would make for an equally fitting end to Quill's storyline. Or he might step away from the team for whatever reason, bringing his arc full circle in a tragic kind of way. Both of these things could happen, or neither — but, either way, Peter wouldn't need to die. What I'm saying, basically, is I've got no idea. Next one, please.

Okay, now we're getting into dangerous territory. MCU fans are more or less fully convinced that Rocket Raccoon will die in "Vol. 3." Seriously, Google "Rocket dies Guardians 3." Go on, I'll wait. Brutal, right? And, at first glance, Rocket's death would make a lot of sense. According to the movie's official synopsis (via GameSpot), the plot will be driven by "echoes of Rocket's turbulent past," and he has been given pride of place in both trailers released so far. Not only that, but his lone-wolf-to-reluctant-hero character arc makes him ripe for a sacrifice. All signs point to "Vol. 3" marking the end of Rocket's story, so it wouldn't be right to place him any lower on this list. However, I'm not quite convinced.

Rocket is in a similar position to Peter, in that previous MCU adventures have been anything but kind to him: He loses his best friend in "Guardians of the Galaxy," fights with his new family in "Galaxy Vol. 2," and loses everybody he loves in "Avengers: Infinity War." The third "Guardians" movie won't be easy for Rocket, either, bringing him face-to-face with his dastardly creator and dredging up the trauma of his "birth." After all that, is Rocket not worthy of a happy ending — of some form of closure, peace, or happiness? Must his story end on a low note? Or would it be infinitely more satisfying to bring him out the other end as a wiser, stronger, and more loving person? Rocket could die. Maybe he will. If you ask me, though, he deserves a hell of a lot better.

Ayesha is the stuck-up, self-satisfied, and perpetually irritating high priestess of the Sovereign. She acts as a secondary antagonist in "Vol. 2," in which she declares war on the Guardians because Rocket steals a bunch of batteries, and, apparently, she'll be a secondary antagonist (if that) in "Vol. 3." Ayesha's return brings her into the hallowed company of other minor MCU villains who survived their first movie, such as Crossbones, Dr. Zola, and the Collector. Don't expect her to go much further, though.

Chances are, Ayesha's sole purpose in "Vol. 3" will be to birth Adam, point him in the vague direction of the Guardians, and send him on his way. After that, who needs her? The High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) and Adam Warlock will provide more than enough trouble for our heroes; Ayesha isn't the most three-dimensional villain around, and it's hard to see what else she can bring to the table. Indeed, if you consider the magnitude of Adam's destructive power, it seems entirely likely that Ayesha won't even survive their first scene together. What better way to showcase Adam's strength than to have him effortlessly wipe out the Sovereign — and his creator along with them?

Dave Bautista's hilarious, heartfelt portrayal of Drax the Destroyer cemented the character as a fan-favorite in "Guardians of the Galaxy," and while Drax's arc since then has left a little to be desired, he's still consider a beloved member of the team. No doubt, he will be missed.

Yes, Drax is as good as gone when "Vol. 3" rolls around. How do I know this? Well, Bautista has been entirely candid in admitting that he's looking forward to leaving the MCU. "I'm so grateful for Drax," he told GQ in early 2023, "but there's a relief [that it's over]. It wasn't all pleasant. [...] And I just don't know if I want Drax to be my legacy — it's a silly performance, and I want to do more dramatic stuff." That's just one example. Bautista's many assurances that he is never, ever coming back give off some real Harrison-Ford-demanding-Han-Solo's-death vibes.

Lucky for him, Drax is the Guardian whose death would be most fitting. Thanos' defeat ended the Destroyer's quest for vengeance, giving him little to do in the MCU's future; while retirement could be in the cards, it seems like Drax would be as unwilling to leave his teammates as Bautista would be to leave the door open for his return. Meanwhile, Drax's development in "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special," in which he learns to put aside his own selfish desires for the sake of his friends, hints that a greater sacrifice may be imminent. It won't be easy to watch, and we'll all be surprised by how much we feel Bautista's absence from the MCU, but that doesn't change the truth: Drax must die.

This one is a bit of a cheat, but it's worth throwing out there anyway. The High Evolutionary is the main antagonist in "Vol. 3." A comic book villain who dates as far back as 1966's "Thor #134," the High Evolutionary is a brilliant and maniacal scientist obsessed with crafting the "perfect" society, which basically means anthropomorphizing a bunch of animals and forcing them to live together on Counter-Earth, a creepy world with a mid-20th century aesthetic. In "Vol. 3," the High Evolutionary is revealed to be Rocket's creator, sending him on a collision course with the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Obviously, the High Evolutionary's chances of escaping "Vol. 3" alive are slim-to-none. Kangs notwithstanding, MCU villains rarely make second (or third) appearances, and the Guardians franchise in particular has no qualms in brutally killing off its antagonists: the power of the Power Stone disintegrates Ronan the Accuser in "Guardians of the Galaxy," while Rocket's Anulax bomb brings down Ego in "Vol. 2." Only villains who stand a chance of redemption — or have a part to play in future MCU projects — are given a stay of execution, and neither of these criteria are likely to apply to the High Evolutionary. Que sera, sera.