Will the Guardians of the Galaxy Show Up in ‘Avengers: Doomsday? Everything Fans Need To Know

Marvel fans have been holding their breath for months waiting to see if the cosmic misfits of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy‘ will suit up alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in ‘Avengers Doomsday‘. With a cast list stacked full of returning legends and X-Men veterans, the absence of any confirmed Guardians has become one of the biggest talking points of the entire rollout.

So far, the answer looks like a disappointing no, but the situation is more layered than a simple yes or no. Here is everything currently known about whether the space team will factor into the sprawling multiverse event.

What We Know About the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Cast so Far

Marvel unveiled a massive cast for ‘Avengers Doomsday’ back on March 26, with familiar MCU names like Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh and Simu Liu all confirmed to return when Marvel revealed the cast for the next Avengers installment during a livestream event.

Alongside the returning Avengers, the film is also bringing back a wave of original ‘X-Men’ stars, with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn and Kelsey Grammer all reprising their classic roles for an onscreen reunion decades after their early 2000s films.

The lineup has since grown even further, with reports noting names like Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal and Robert Downey Jr. joining the ensemble, with Downey stepping away from Iron Man entirely to play the villainous Doctor Doom rather than his signature Avengers hero.

Despite the sheer scale of the announcement, not a single member of the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ was included in that initial reveal, which immediately sparked speculation among fans.

No Confirmed ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Members in the ‘Doomsday’ Lineup

As it stands, no Guardians character has officially been confirmed for ‘Avengers Doomsday’, despite expectations that at least one member of the team would make the cut given the scale of the crossover since the film is expected to include dozens of actors from across Marvel’s live action history.

The team’s absence is notable because ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ effectively disbanded the original lineup, with Star-Lord returning to Earth, Gamora joining the Ravagers, and Nebula and Drax staying behind on Knowhere to look after the rescued children, while a new squad led by Rocket Raccoon took shape featuring Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo, Adam Warlock, Phyla and Blurp.

Some reporting suggests Marvel is deliberately keeping the Guardians out of the picture so the Russo brothers can manage an already overstuffed ensemble, arguing the studio can tell a complete ‘Avengers Doomsday’ story without adding another full team into the mix even though it would be fun to see Rocket or Drax cross paths with old and new allies.

Since filming has already wrapped, several outlets have concluded that the Guardians simply will not factor into the finished film in any meaningful capacity given how far along production already is.

Sean Gunn and Chris Pratt Have Both Addressed the Guardians Situation

The clearest confirmation so far comes from Sean Gunn, who played Kraglin Obfonteri across the Guardians trilogy. Gunn has stated plainly that he will not be appearing in ‘Avengers Doomsday’ despite being one of the more recognizable faces from the space team’s supporting cast.

Chris Pratt’s situation is murkier and has become something of a running joke. When fans noticed his name and chair were missing from the big cast reveal livestream, Pratt jokingly brushed it off by suggesting the cameras simply cut away before his moment came up.

Pratt has also referenced the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ ending, which teased that “the Legendary Star-Lord Will Return,” telling Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year that Marvel would eventually make good on that promise before stopping himself and joking about a Marvel sniper listening in. Whether that promise gets fulfilled in ‘Doomsday’, in ‘Secret Wars’, or in a separate future project remains completely unclear.

Rumors and What Could Still Change Before Release

Not every door has closed. Some fan speculation, including chatter attributed to the outlet Comicodigy, has floated the idea that members of the new Guardians lineup, including Adam Warlock, Cosmo and Phyla, could still show up in some capacity, even if the classic team stays on the sidelines.

There is also chatter about a possible second cast announcement event for ‘Avengers Doomsday’, which could reveal additional names beyond what fans have already seen, with rumors pointing toward figures like Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel and a version of Spider-Man potentially joining later waves of reveals. If that second wave happens, it is not impossible that a Guardian sneaks in through the back door.

For now though, industry reporting leans toward the Guardians sitting this one out entirely, with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ director James Gunn’s departure to run DC Studios adding another layer of uncertainty about where the cosmic side of the MCU goes next. ‘Avengers Doomsday’ is currently set to hit theaters on May 1, 2026, with ‘Avengers Secret Wars’ following in May 2027, meaning there could still be time for Star-Lord and company to make good on their promised return in a future installment even if this particular film passes them by.

With so much still unconfirmed and Marvel notorious for holding back surprises until the last possible moment, do you think the Guardians of the Galaxy deserve a spot in ‘Avengers Doomsday’, or has the franchise moved on without them for good?