‘Jumanji: Open World’ Star Karen Gillan Teases a Nebula’s MCU Return: “I Have Definitely Spoken to Them”

Few characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have traveled as far as Nebula. She began as an antagonist and grew into a valued member of the Guardians and a beloved sister to Gamora. After that journey, fans have never stopped wondering whether a Nebula return to the MCU could still happen.

The question has hung in the air since ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ wrapped up James Gunn’s trilogy in 2023. The ending saw the team go their separate ways, with Nebula staying on Knowhere to lead the community and help the child rescued from the High Evolutionary. In effect, she traded her warrior ways for a more peaceful life, and she has not appeared in a live-action MCU project since.

Now the actress has finally offered a small but meaningful update. Speaking to The Direct while promoting her pregnancy comedy ‘Let’s Have Kids’, Gillan was asked whether she has had conversations with Marvel about Nebula’s next appearance. She told The Direct that “I have definitely spoken to them.”

There was a catch, of course. Gillan wouldn’t say whether those talks were about bringing Nebula back, joking that Marvel snipers are watching her and promising no spoilers. It was a playful non-answer, but she did confirm that the lines of communication with the studio are open.

That makes this her most open comment on the subject in some time. In an earlier interview with MovieWeb promoting ‘The Life of Chuck’, she said she couldn’t say anything and fell back on a never-say-never stance. Confirming that she has been in touch with Marvel is a step beyond that.

Fans also noticed that her name was missing when Marvel revealed the huge ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ cast on its livestream. None of the main Guardians stars were included either, which only deepened the sense that the cosmic team had been left behind. That makes any hint of a conversation feel more significant.

The timing matters, because the next big Marvel event is close. ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ opens on December 18, and the Guardians are expected to sit that one out. Whether they appear in ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ is still an open question, with production reportedly due to start in early 2027.

The groundwork for a return is already there. ‘Vol. 3’ closed with a new Guardians team led by Rocket Raccoon, made up of Nebula, Groot, Cosmo, Adam Warlock and Phyla-Vell. The same stretch of the franchise also teased that Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord will return, so a reunion would not come out of nowhere.

There are real obstacles, though. Gunn has since become co-CEO of DC Studios, and his contract with Marvel ended with the third film. No new Nebula project has been announced, and Gillan herself has been careful not to promise anything.

For now, the safest reading is that Marvel and Gillan are on good terms, and that the door has not closed. She is clearly not shutting it either, and she has long been open about wanting to keep playing the character. Whether that leads to a cameo, a team-up or something bigger remains to be seen.

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