I Can’t Believe I Never Worked Out How Iron Man Killing Thanos Makes 1 Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 Story Even More Special Until Now

One pivotal MCU moment might’ve made this Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 story even more special. Although the franchise is well underway with the Multiverse Saga, fans still like to reminisce about the good times in the MCU’s early phases. The Infinity Saga changed the superhero genre for the better and its culminating event in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame were two of the biggest blockbusters in recent history. Marvel spent a decade building up the threat of Thanos, and the long game made his eventual demise all the more satisfying.

Iron Man famously sacrificed himself in Avengers: Endgame to ensure that Thanos was defeated, and the impact is still felt in the franchise to this day. Although no one wants to see their favorite character die, it was the best decision to have the original face of the franchise be the one to deal the final blow. Tony Stark’s story came full circle with his sacrifice, cementing his Marvel legacy. The heroes of the MCU have much to be grateful for, but one particular character may have wished that he was the chosen one instead.

Drax’s Reaction To Avengers: Endgame Changes How His Story Looks In The Movie

Thanos Is Responsible For His Family’s Deaths

The Guardians of the Galaxy at Tony Stark's funeral in Avengers Endgame

While everyone in the MCU had been terrorized by Thanos in some way by the time of Avengers: Endgame, Drax the Destroyer has always had an extra connection to the Mad тιтan. When he is introduced in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, he joins Star-Lord and the team because he wants to avenge his family. Ronan the Accuser killed his wife and daughter under the order of Thanos, so once the Kree warlord was defeated, Drax naturally wanted to go for the individual pulling the strings.

It’s a shame that Drax never got to seek vengeance personally on Thanos considering how his family has always been his motive.

Of course, Drax was largely taken out of the fight against Thanos as he was part of the population that disappeared. He also wasn’t the one to deal the killing blow to the Mad тιтan, and actor Dave Bautista said in a 2019 interview with GQ that Drax would’ve been disappointed by that fact. It’s a shame that Drax never got to seek vengeance personally on Thanos, considering how his family has always been his motive, but it also arguably makes his future MCU storyline feel a lot more special.

Drax Dealing With The Aftermath Of Losing The Chance To Personally Avenge His Family Makes Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3’s Ending Hit All The Harder

He Finds A New Purpose In Life

Reuniting with the Guardians after Avengers: Endgame helped keep Drax busy, but he likely felt a lot of regret in his spare time over not being the one to kill Thanos. His motive was always to personally avenge his family, so while he could celebrate that Thanos was gone, it wasn’t a satisfying end for him. However, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 managed to take his story to the next level and give him a new purpose in life. While Drax’s fate at the end of the film can’t replace his regret, it can help fill a void.

The Guardians helped the High Evolutionary’s experimental Star Children escape to Knowhere. When the Guardians are going their separate ways at the end of the film, Drax eventually chooses to stay on Knowhere so he can guard the children, with Nebula even telling him that he was born to be a father. It’s a beautiful ending for Drax that wouldn’t have happened if he had been the one to kill Thanos. He now gets to build a new family of sorts and nurture the future rather than be consumed by any lingering regret regarding his wife and daughter.

I’m So Glad Drax Gets A Happy Ending In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 After Thanos’ Death

Drax Doesn’t Have To Live With His Regret Anymore

Peter Quill, Drax, Rocket, Gamora, Groot, Nebula and Mantis heading to fight the High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

With all the theories that a character was going to die in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it was a pleasant surprise for fans to see that everyone got a somewhat happy ending. It felt especially significant for characters like Drax, Nebula, and Gamora, who all experienced Thanos’ wrath in a more personal way. As the adopted daughters of Thanos, Nebula and Gamora potentially felt just as much regret about not being the ones to end him as Drax did. However, all of them get fulfilling endings, albeit bittersweet.

Nebula remained on Knowhere with Drax to help raise the Star Children and rebuild the planet into the world she wished she had grown up on. Gamora made amends with Peter Quill and returned to traveling with her new family, the Ravagers. For the three Guardians who lost the most at the hands of Thanos, it’s heartwarming to know that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has given them the peaceful life that they deserve after his death. Despite not being the ones to personally kill him, they have nothing to regret.