James Gunn Shares Emotional Social Media Post on the Final Day of Shooting GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3
James Gunn has directed hits in both Marvel and DC camps, but it all started with Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014. Now, the director has three films and a holiday special in the can with the shooting of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 wrapping up. Gunn recently confirmed that this would be the last film he would make in the franchise, and he commemorated the occasion with a nostalgic and heartfelt social media post, saying:
"After over 100 days of shooting & over 3000 shots, this is the slate for the final shot of #GotGVol3, presented to me by the camera crew. It was an easy shot of Rocket seated, 1st with @seangunn, & then nothing there, & took everything in me not to break down sobbing on the spot. The majority of the last ten years of my life have been spent working on & thinking about the Guardians. I still have a long road ahead of me with VFX & editing, but it was still momentous to me. It is somewhat simple to explain to others how much I love this cast & crew. It is more difficult to explain how much I love these characters – that I see them as parts of myself & parts of those I love, & filming them, & writing their words, is a way of expressing that love. Again, I'll still be working with them over the next year until release, but shooting that last shot was a reminder of the warm impermanence of life & love, & how that impermanence makes it so precious, so valuable, & is a good reason to be grateful for what I have right now. Anyway. The camera crew also stuck their hand-made camera lens caps on the back of the slate for me. Much love to you all."
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will conclude the story of the characters Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Drax (Dave Bautista), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Kraglin (Sean Gunn), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Groot (Vin Diesel). New additions to the cast include Will Poulter as Adam Warlock and Chukwudi Iwuji in an unknown role.
The movie is set to be released on May 23, 2023. But first, the Guardians will be featured in Thor: Love and Thunder on July 8th, and in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special this coming holiday season.
Check out James Gunn’s full post below, and let us know if you’re excited for the final chapter of Guardians of the Galaxy.