How Big of a Role Do the Guardians Play In Avengers: Infinity War?

Marvel Studios started production on their massive superhero sequelAvengers: Infinity Warin January. That movie is shooting back-to-back with the studio’s currently untitledAvengers 4. It is widely believed that practically every established movie character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will show up, but there is still very little revealed about the actual plot, or how large a role each hero will play in this story. While promoting his new filmThe Belko Experiment,James Gunnconfirmed once again that theGuardians of the Galaxywill be featured in this story, although they may not have huge roles.

Complexcaught up withJames Gunn, who serves as an executive producer onAvengers: Infinity War, which is currently filming in Atlanta. It has long been confirmed that theGuardians of the Galaxywill have roles inAvengers: Infinity War, which is believed to contain upwards of 67 characters, although directorsAnthony RussoandJoe Russohave still not yet confirmed an exact character count. When asked how big a role the Guardians have inInfinity War,James Gunnhad this to say.

“You know listen, I don’t think we should overstate things that it is an Avengers movie. But the Guardians are a part of the cosmic universe, they’re a part ofThanos' stories, so, they are in there, and they have, not the biggest, but, an integral part to that.”

Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feigerevealed last month thatGuardians of the Galaxy 2won’t directly set upAvengers: Infinity War, and it has been confirmed that fans won’t get to see Thanos in Guardians 2. None of the Infinity Stones will show up in the sequel either. It has also been confirmed that Guardians 2 doesn’t set upAvengers: Infinity Warin any way, with writer-directorJames Gunnrecently stating that neither of hisGuardiansmovies are “beholden” to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, since his stories are set so far out in the cosmos that they do not affect what happens in the Earth-bound stories.

Earlier this week, a new report claimed that the untitledAvengerssequel will in fact beChris Evans' last movie asCaptain America, leading to speculation regarding who will take over the Captain America mantle when Steve Rogers is gone. In the comics, Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) had taken over as Cap at different points in the story, so it’s possible that either of those characters could take over if in fact Steve Rogers is done as Captain America. Of course, none of this is confirmed yet, but hopefully we’ll have some official details aboutAvengers: Infinity Warsoon.