CinemaBlend participates in affiliate programs with various companies. We may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via links.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has officially returned to theaters with Cate Shortland’s Black Widow, and there are a number of highly anticipated projects coming down the line. Chief among them is Thor: Love and Thunder, which will feature an appearance by the Guardians of the Galaxy. And now actress Karen Gillan has explained where Nebula’s head is at going into the upcoming Thor sequel.
Nebula has had a fascinating arc in the MCU, going from antagonist to Avenger throughout four blockbusters. Given her new relationship with characters like Rocket and the time jump from Avengers: Endgame, fans are curious to see what’s coming next for the blue meanie in Thor: Love and Thunder, as well as Guardians 3. Karen Gillan explained what comes next for her signature character, saying:
I think we left Nebula in a really interesting place where she experienced the death of her father, but also of her abuser essentially, the person that made her life a living hell. And so those feelings are really conflicting. I think for her, she’s feeling a sense of relief, the catharsis of it all, but she’s also probably feeling a sense of loss to a father figured because these relationships can be really, really complicated where even though they’re treating you so badly, you can still be desperate for approval and love from that type of figure in your life. And so for her, I think it’s both.
I mean, how can you not be invested in Nebula’s story? While the Guardians of the Galaxy films are known for their various comedic beats, the franchise is also very much about trauma. And now that Thanos has been snapped out of existence, it should be fascinating to see how Nebula continues being affected by her adoptive father’s abuse.
Karen Gillan’s comments to Collider show how much heart is at the core of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. It’s this mixture of emotion and comedy that made the motley crew of characters into fan favorites. Thanos was a shadow that loomed over the cosmic property so far, and it seems the Mad Titan will continue to influence characters like Nebula.
Marvel fans can re-watch Nebula’s time in the MCU so far on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.
While the Guardians of the Galaxy aren’t expected to have a major presence in Thor: Love and Thunder, fans are thrilled to catch up with the beloved characters in any capacity. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. was originally going to be one of the first installments in Phase Four, so any new content will help satiate the rabid fandom.
Aside from her ongoing issues with Thanos, it’ll also be interesting to see how Nebula’s relationship with Gamora continues to grow. Her sister died at the hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, before the 2014 version of Zoe Saldana’s character was brought to the main timeline in Endgame. Nebula and Gamora’s sisterhood is one of the main narrative throughlines of the Guardians movies, and moviegoers are invested.
Thor: Love and Thunder is currently expected to arrive in theaters on May 6th, 2022. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.
