Following its highly anticipated Disney+ premiere, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” has finally secured its official place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline. The streaming platform has confirmed that the final installment of the beloved Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy takes place after “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and before “Secret Invasion,” the first Phase Five film and TV show, respectively.
Originally scheduled to premiere in May 2020, the release of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” was delayed due to the temporary firing and subsequent rehiring of director James Gunn. However, the film finally made its theatrical debut in May of this year and has now landed on Disney+, making the entire Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy available for fans to enjoy on the streaming service.
READ MORE: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Lands on Disney+: An Emotional Conclusion to the Beloved Trilogy
Additionally, the blockbuster is also available on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra Run, and DVD since August 1st, featuring special content such as cast and crew interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and several deleted scenes. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Chukwudi Iwuji, and Karen Gillan.
At the international box office, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” soared to success, grossing over $845 million against its $250 million budget. Though falling just short of becoming the highest-earning entry in the trilogy, it outperformed “Quantumania,” which became the first non-pandemic MCU film to suffer financial losses. Critically acclaimed, the film earned an 82% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised for providing an emotionally-fitting sendoff to the original eponymous supergroup.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” marked the MCU finale for both Dave Bautista and James Gunn. Bautista confirmed his Marvel exit in January, while Gunn is now focusing on projects within his revamped DC Universe, including his next superhero movie, “Superman: Legacy.” Additionally, Zoe Saldana has strongly hinted at moving on from her role as Gamora in the MCU following the events of Vol. 3.
As of now, there are no immediate plans for continuing the Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise, but James Gunn expressed hope that the remaining members of the group might make appearances in other MCU projects. He also recently teased the possibility of a potential movie chronicling Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the future.
For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” can now be streamed on Disney+, providing an action-packed and emotionally resonant conclusion to the epic trilogy. Additionally, physical copies on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and DVD allow viewers to dive deeper into the making of the film and explore exclusive bonus features, making it a must-have addition to any MCU enthusiast’s collection.