After 8 Years, Marvel Has Finally Figured Out What To Do With The Guardians Of The Galaxy

Published Oct 17, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. 

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

8 years later, Marvel Studios finally has an answer for what's next for the Guardians of the Galaxy without James Gunn. While the answer is pretty unexpected, it will hopefully be the start of a new era for the MCU's beloved cosmic heroes.

At New York Comic Con 2026, Marvel announced Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian, one of three upcoming Disney+ animated specials scheduled for Halloween over the next three years. Releasing in 2029, the subtitle is in the exact font as the one used for the MCU's Guardians of the Galaxy movies, suggesting a clear connection. While we don't know much just yet, the fact that the MCU has a new Guardians project on the books is pretty significant.

My hopes are high that Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian could finally be the beginning of something new, even if its post-apocalyptic setting with hordes of flesh-eating undead makes its starting point fairly unconventional.

​​​​​​

Marvel Studios' New Guardians of the Galaxy Project Is A Bigger Deal Than You Think

Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian is more significant than some likely realize, as it's essentially the first project to be released by Marvel Studios with James Gunn's involvement. Although I Am Groot season 2 technically continued the series without Gunn's direct creative involvement, this new Marvel Zombies project is certainly more high-profile.

Marvel has deliberately kept the identity of the final Guardian under wraps. However, the title's use of the Guardians' familiar branding strongly hints that at least one member of the team will play a major role. That alone creates an opportunity Marvel hasn't fully explored since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: telling a story about these characters without relying on Gunn's particular blend of humor, emotional storytelling, and cosmic weirdness.

Of course, a zombie-apocalypse alternate universe isn't necessarily the foundation for a new mainline Guardians franchise. Nevertheless, it allows Marvel to experiment with a different character, tone, and approach to the team. If the special resonates with audiences, it could help establish which Guardians deserve more attention in future MCU projects.

Who Will Be The MCU's Last Guardian?

Nebula would be an especially compelling choice for Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian. After spending years as one of the MCU's most damaged and complicated characters, she finally found a place among the Guardians and helped establish a new community on Knowhere. Watching her become the last survivor of a zombie apocalypse would be a brutal way to test how far she's come.

Groot, however, might be an even more intriguing possibility. He's one of the Guardians' most recognizable members, and his plant-based biology raises an amusing question: Would zombies even consider a Flora Colossus edible? Groot's regenerative abilities and unusual physiology could make him a particularly difficult target, although there's no guarantee that a zombie infection would spare him.

Rocket is another possibility, especially given his emotional journey in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. However, choosing Groot or Nebula could give the special a fresher perspective than simply returning to the team's most prominent characters.

For now, Marvel hasn't confirmed who the last Guardian will be. Still, the mystery itself is exciting, and the special could finally give the franchise a new direction. After eight years of uncertainty, that's a pretty promising development.