When the final scene of Avengers: Endgame showed Thor leaving on the Milano with the Guardians of the Galaxy, many viewers speculated that they would join forces in their next escapade. But when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (available for streaming with a Disney+ subscription) hit the big screen, Thor was nowhere to be found. So, what’s going on? As it turns out, James Gunn’s explanation is straightforward and unexpectedly intimate.
In a special conversation with EW for their Superman feature, Gunn shared that the absence of Thor in Guardians Vol. 3 wasn’t due to contract issues, conflicting tones, or franchise burnout. Instead, it boiled down to a straightforward reason: he didn’t resonate personally with the character, as he expressed to the publication.
In my script comments, I stated: ‘I won’t include him in the team. I’m not keen on having Thor among the Guardians. I’m not interested in making a film featuring Thor.’ I find it challenging to grasp his character. I truly enjoy watching his films and think highly of Chris Hemsworth as an actor. However, I struggle with writing that character effectively.
It’s uncommon for a director to confess they aren’t suited for a well-known superhero movie character, particularly one portrayed by one of Hollywood’s top earners. However, the director of Super has always followed his unique “cosmic” rhythm. His Guardians trilogy has never been about checking off boxes or following fads, which is why they are among the best Marvel films. Instead, they focus on emotionally damaged misfits learning to form a family, and Volume 3 remained faithful to this theme without any lightning bolts or hammers in view.
In this situation, Gunn wasn’t encountering challenges with interconnected cinematic universes for the first time. During the same interview, he openly discussed the difficulties of sowing seeds in post-credit sequences that later develop into narrative complications. He used the teaser of Adam Warlock at the end of Guardians Vol. 2 as an illustration. Although he appreciated collaborating with the actor, incorporating Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock character smoothly into Vol. 3 wasn’t entirely straightforward for Gunn. The screenwriter of Slither also mentioned that the process wasn’t flawless.
In Guardians 2, I wasn’t overly fond of how we introduced Adam Warlock, as well as the expansion of the Guardians of the Galaxy team, and other elements that weren’t originally in my initial plan. While I did intend to fulfill that promise, it’s important to be cautious about these things. You see, a post-credits scene can be like a surprising punch, but if you only use it for setup, you might end up in a tricky situation. It was challenging to incorporate Adam Warlock into Guardians 3. Working with Will was enjoyable, and I appreciated the character, but looking back, perhaps he was a bit of an awkward fit.
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In essence, the lesson here is: A concept may appear suitable in principle, but that doesn’t automatically make it fitting for the narrative. Director Gunn’s decision to avoid forcing Thor into the plot demonstrates a wider approach he’s adopting at DC Studios and their upcoming slate of DC films. This strategy extends to his work on Superman, where a post-credits scene is included not as a box-ticking exercise for the franchise, but because it enhances the story itself.
James Gunn’s style of storytelling might deviate from the typical structure Marvel films often follow, but it consistently stemmed from a clear purpose. This unique approach could be what sets his work apart. Instead of capitalizing on the hype of a popular collaboration, he opted to concentrate on the message that Guardians Vol. 3 aimed to convey and the characters best suited for delivering it. As a result, we were treated to an exceptional film.
I’m eagerly anticipating his upcoming project, as it’s almost time for the release of “Superman” scheduled for July 11, 2025.
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2025-06-11 18:37