The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy has been one of the MCU’s most unique and beloved offerings, but movies did squander several classic characters. Blending quirky humor, emotional depth, and cosmic spectacle, James Gunn managed to turn a group of relatively obscure comic book characters into household names. However, not every character received the treatment they deserved. Across all three films, several intriguing and potentially important characters were either relegated to the background, mishandled, or outright wasted.
Marvel Comics boasts a vast universe filled with complex characters and intricate storylines. Translating these to the MCU timeline often involves adaptation choices, including condensing story arcs and redefining roles. While the Guardians of the Galaxy films have delivered some incredible character moments, they’ve also missed opportunities to elevate certain individuals. Some of these characters have rich comic book histories, while others were portrayed by renowned actors who weren’t given the material to shine – though some of these could be rectified in the MCU’s future.
10
Ego Should Have Been A Much Cooler Villain
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Ego the Living Planet, played by Kurt Russell, had all the ingredients of a phenomenal villain. In the comics, Ego is a cosmic enтιтy with unfathomable power, embodying the grandeur and strangeness of Marvel’s cosmic tales. His potential to explore deep philosophical questions about creation, existence, and godhood was immense. However, the film reduced Ego to a rather predictable villainous archetype.
Ego’s motivations – spreading his essence across the universe – felt clichéd and lacked the nuance needed for a character of such scale. Kurt Russell’s charm and charisma were evident, but the script didn’t allow him to fully explore the complexities of Ego. Instead of being a multi-dimensional antagonist, he became a generic megalomaniac, undercutting what could have been one of the MCU’s most compelling villains. Ego’s wasted potential remains one of the trilogy’s biggest disappointments.
9
Stakar Ogord Squandered Sylvester Stallone
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 & Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Sylvester Stallone’s inclusion as Stakar Ogord, also known as Starhawk, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was an exciting nod to the original Guardians from the comics. As one of the leaders of the Ravagers, Stakar had the potential to become a key figure in the film, especially considering his rich comic book history as a founding member of the Guardians. Unfortunately, Stallone’s role was disappointingly brief. His short appearance established some Ravager lore and hinted at his team’s potential, but it largely went nowhere.
It seemed like he was being set up for a larger role in the future, but his appearance in GOTG Vol. 3 was even shorter, Stallone’s star power and gravitas were underused, and the character’s significance to the broader narrative was minimal. Audiences were left wondering why an actor of his caliber was brought in only to be sidelined. With more screen time, Stakar could have added depth to the Ravagers and enriched the trilogy’s cosmic world-building.
8
Glenn Close’s Nova Prime Wasted Her Potential
Guardians Of The Galaxy
In Guardians of the Galaxy, Glenn Close portrayed Irani Rael, the Nova Prime of Xandar. As the leader of the Nova Corps, Rael should have been a prominent figure, given her position and the Corps’ importance in Marvel Comics. The Nova Corps is a cornerstone of Marvel’s cosmic universe, and Irani Rael had the potential to be a powerful and commanding presence.
However, despite Glenn Close’s immense talent, her character was reduced to a supporting role with little depth. Rael’s main purpose was to provide exposition and react to the threat of Ronan. Her potential as a leader or as a character with her own agency was never fully realized. Considering the actress’s pedigree, this was a significant missed opportunity. Though Nova Prime did return in What if…?, Close sadly did not voice the multiversal variant.
7
High Priestess Ayesha Was Reduced To A Plot Device
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 & Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
High Priestess Ayesha, played by Elizabeth Debicki, was introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as the leader of the Sovereign. In the comics, Ayesha (also known as Her or Kismet) is a genetically engineered being with immense power and deep ties to Adam Warlock, a key figure in Marvel’s cosmic stories. While Debicki delivered an imposing and regal performance, Ayesha was ultimately relegated to a secondary role.
By Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Ayesha served primarily as a plot device to set the Sovereign against the Guardians and introduce Adam Warlock. This simplification robbed Ayesha of her comic book complexity and potential as a powerful, morally ambiguous force in the MCU. Instead of developing her further, the film treated her as little more than a catalyst for conflict, squandering Debicki’s talent and the character’s rich narrative possibilities.
6
John C. Reilly’s Rhomann Dey Should Have Returned
Guardians Of The Galaxy
John C. Reilly’s Rhomann Dey appeared in the first Guardians of the Galaxy as a Nova Corps officer who played a key role in arresting and later ᴀssisting the Guardians. In the comics, Rhomann Dey is a pivotal character, as he is the one who transfers the Nova Force to Richard Rider, transforming him into the superhero Nova. Reilly’s warm and humorous performance made Dey a memorable character, but his absence in the sequels was glaring.
Given the destruction of Xandar by Thanos (mentioned offscreen in Avengers: Infinity War), Dey’s return could have added emotional weight and provided a bridge to introduce Nova. Instead, his potential story arc was abandoned. The omission of Dey from subsequent films felt like a missed chance to further explore the Nova Corps’ significance and set the stage for one of Marvel’s most iconic cosmic heroes.
5
Ronan The Accuser Became A Generic Villain
Guardians Of The Galaxy
Lee Pace’s Ronan the Accuser was the main antagonist in Guardians of the Galaxy. In the comics, Ronan is a complex character with a rich backstory, often portrayed as an anti-hero torn between his loyalty to the Kree Empire and his personal sense of justice. His conflicts with the Guardians and other cosmic heroes are nuanced and layered. The film, however, reduced Ronan to a one-dimensional villain.
Ronan the Accuser’s motivations – a generic thirst for power and destruction under Thanos’s guidance – lacked depth, and his characterization failed to capture the moral ambiguity that makes him so intriguing in the comics. Despite Lee Pace’s commanding performance, Ronan’s potential as a formidable and multi-faceted adversary was wasted. With a stronger script and more focus on his internal struggles, Ronan could have been a much more compelling and memorable villain in the MCU’s cosmic narrative.
4
Korath The Pursuer Was Wasted As A Henchperson
Guardians Of The Galaxy
Djimon Hounsou’s Korath the Pursuer appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy as one of Ronan’s henchmen. In the comics, Korath is a skilled Kree cyber-geneticist who becomes a super-powered warrior. His ties to the Kree Empire and his scientific expertise make him a compelling character with significant narrative potential. In the film, Korath was reduced to a minor antagonist with little to no backstory or development.
Djimon Hounsou, a two-time Academy Award nominee, was vastly underutilized in the role, which lacked the complexity and presence his talents deserved. Korath’s reappearance in Captain Marvel added some context to his character, but it still fell short of his comic book potential. With a more substantial role, Korath could have added to the MCU’s Kree storyline and become a more memorable figure in the Guardians series and beyond.
3
Aleta Ogord Was An Early Guardian Of The Galaxy
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
Michelle Yeoh’s Aleta Ogord made a brief appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as part of Stakar Ogord’s Ravager team. In the comics, Aleta is a member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy from the 31st century. She is a powerful and complex character with light-manipulating abilities and a complicated relationship with her adoptive brother Stakar.
Despite her significance in the source material, Aleta’s role in the film was little more than a cameo. Michelle Yeoh’s immense talent and charisma were barely utilised, and the character’s potential to expand the Guardians’ mythos was overlooked. This was a missed opportunity to introduce a legendary character to a wider audience. Aleta’s inclusion could have connected the movies more strongly to the rich legacy of the Guardians in Marvel Comics, but instead squandered the character and Yeoh’s talent.
2
The Collector Should Have Been More Involved
Guardians Of The Galaxy
Benicio Del Toro’s portrayal of Taneleer Tivan, the Collector, in Guardians of the Galaxy was one of the film’s highlights. As an Elder of the Universe, the Collector is a fascinating character with vast knowledge and connections across the cosmic Marvel universe. His eccentric personality and obsession with rare artifacts make him a unique presence in the comics.
While Del Toro’s performance was memorable, the Collector’s role in the trilogy, and indeed the whole MCU, was disappointingly limited. After his brief appearance in the first film, he was relegated to a minor cameo in Avengers: Infinity War. Considering his significance in the comics and Del Toro’s acting prowess, the character deserved a more substantial role in the MCU. With more screen time, the Collector could have been an intriguing figure, offering insights into Marvel’s cosmic universe.
1
Adam Warlock Was Mostly Pointless
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
Adam Warlock, played by Will Poulter, was one of the most anticipated characters in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In the comics, Warlock is a central figure in Marvel’s cosmic stories, playing a pivotal role in the Infinity Gauntlet saga and serving as a guardian of cosmic balance. His deep connections to the Soul Gem and the Sovereign made his introduction highly anticipated.
However, the MCU’s portrayal of Adam Warlock was underwhelming. Instead of being the wise and powerful figure many expected, he was depicted as a naïve and immature character still coming into his own. While Poulter delivered a solid performance, the script didn’t allow Warlock to reach his full potential. His role felt more like a comedic side note than the grand cosmic force he is in the comics. Warlock’s introduction deserved greater significance and a more compelling narrative arc in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.
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