Nebula’s MCU Future After Guardians Of The Galaxy Trilogy Gets New Update

Karen Gillan revealed a brand-new update about Nebula’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.

The actress made her franchise debut in the very first Guardians of the Galaxy film in 2014. Elsewhere in the MCU, Gillan reprised Nebula in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, What If…? and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Her most recent big-screen appearance came via Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023.

Six films have been released since then, but nothing has been confirmed about what the future holds for her character. However, Gillan just provided a new update while speaking to The Direct.

While she made it clear that she couldn’t announce anything one way or the other, she did confirm that she had spoken to Marvel executives. “Whether or not that was about making another appearance or not is a different story,” Gillan said. “Basically, no spoilers over here.”

Karen Gillan: “You know I can’t tell you that [laughs]. I have Marvel snipers on me. I have definitely spoken to them. Whether or not that was about making another appearance or not is a different story. Okay, waffle without saying anything at all. I’m still going. Basically, no spoilers over here.”

Unless her discussions with Marvel were about filming something for a theme park ride, it’s unclear what they would have talked about if it wasn’t about making another return to the MCU movies or TV shows. Marvel has not confirmed whether the Guardians of the Galaxy will show up in Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives in theaters on December 18.

There has been speculation among fans that Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill/Star-Lord could appear in some capacity, especially since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 included the teaser “The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return.”

Marvel Studios clearly has a plan in mind for Star-Lord’s future, but that text at the end of the film did not mention the collective group. Nebula’s storyline in the threequel concluded with her staying on Knowhere with Drax so they could help rebuild and ensure the rescued kids grow up in a safe environment.

Even if there’s no appearance in Doomsday, Avengers: Secret Wars could be another opportunity for the characters to show up.

There’s also Disney+’s alternate timeline animated series Marvel Zombies, a spinoff of What If…? The first season was released in 2025, and the show is set to continue with three specials in 2027, 2028, and 2029 called The Winter Soldier, The Fist of Khonshu and The Last Guardian.

That latter installment hints at a Guardians of the Galaxy storyline, but nothing has been revealed yet about who the titular Last Guardian is. So even if she never makes another live-action appearance in the MCU, Gillan could reprise Nebula in Marvel Zombies instead.

Aside from Guardians of the Galaxy and the MCU, Gillan has also appeared in movies like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Spies in Disguise, Jumanji: The Next Level, The Call of the Wild and The Life of Chuck.

She can next be seen in Jumanji: Open World, which comes out this Christmas, and has also been cast in the Highlander reboot and Shrinking season 4. No matter what the future holds for Nebula after Guardians of the Galaxy, Gillan seems open to reprising one of the biggest roles of her entire career.

Cast

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Lee Pace, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Elizabeth Debicki, Will Poulter, Chukwudi Iwuji

Created by

Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning