Summary

  • Zoe Saldaña hints at Gamora's potential future in MCU, despite her revealing that she won't be returning as the character.
  • There are many ways that Gamora could return in the MCU's future without Zoe Saldaña's involvement.
  • Different variants of Gamora could be seen in the MCU's multiverse, or the Guardian of the Galaxy could be recast following an MCU reboot.

Zoe Saldaña has suggested that member of the Guardians of the Galaxy until her shocking death in Avengers: Infinity War, but the MCU's multiverse allowed her to return.

After the 2014 variant of Gamora ed the Ravagers following the Battle of Earth in Avengers: Endgame, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 saw her forces with her former team one more time. Vol. 3 marked the end of Gamora's story in the MCU, as she reed her Ravager teammates after the battle against the High Evolutionary. After the 2023 project's release, Zoe Saldaña confirmed she wouldn't be returning as Gamora. However, Saldaña has recently suggested that Gamora might not be "gone for good" (via The Playlist), and there may be several ways Gamora can return without Zoe Saldaña.

I mean, so far, I think that she is [gone for good] for me, but I don’t think Gamora has gone for good. I would think it would be a huge loss for Marvel if they didn’t find a way to bring back the Guardians of the Galaxy. It’s just such a fan-favorite group of misfits, you know? And then at the helm, they had a voice like James Gunn’s writing — which is just so marvelous for and very specific for this genre. And it’s so great for this genre as well. So, I would be the first one in the first row to sort of celebrate when the Guardians of the Galaxy come back.

Gamora guardians of the galaxy vol 3 multiverse
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10 A New Hero Could Continue Gamora’s Legacy In The MCU

Gamora’s Legacy Can Still Continue Without Zoe Saldaña

In the same way that Marvel Studios has introduced legacy heroes for other retired or deceased characters following Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, a new hero could take on Gamora's role in the MCU. Several of the Guardians of the Galaxy have been teased to return, including Rocket and Peter Quill as the Legendary Star-Lord. These heroes, as well as new Guardians of the Galaxy , such as Phyla, could continue Gamora's legacy, meaning her themes could continue without Saldaña's return.

MCU New Guardians of the Galaxy Team Explained
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Many MCU Heroes Have Legacy Characters In The Multiverse Saga

Several MCU heroes hung up their capes in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, including Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Heimdall and Gamora. However, Marvel Studios has introduced legacy heroes for these iconic figures, each of whom are continuing the legacies of their more-established counterparts. War Machine, Ironheart, Sam Wilson, Yelena Belova and Axl have all replaced their older mentors, and the same could be done for Gamora.

9 A Variant Of Gamora Could Appear In The Multiverse Saga

New Actors Could Portray Multiversal Gamora Variants

The MCU's Multiverse Saga has explored many alternate realities so far, each inhabited by variants of some of the MCU's most notable superheroes. This means that variants of Gamora could be introduced, each played by different actors rather than Zoe Saldaña. Different versions of the Guardians of the Galaxy team could debut during Avengers 5 or Avengers: Secret Wars, helping the MCU's Avengers and other multiversal heroes deal with devastating incursions.

The MCU’s Current Gamora Is Also A Variant

While it may be difficult to see a new version of Gamora replace Zoe Saldaña's in the MCU, the current Gamora is also a variant, so there is precedent for this to happen. The current version of Gamora in the MCU traveled to the present day with Thanos and Nebula from 2014 during Avengers: Endgame's Time Heist. This means she had no memory of her time with the Guardians of the Galaxy, leading to her ing the Ravagers instead.

8 Gamora Could Return As An Older Woman Fighting The Magus

Marvel Comics’ Gamora Was Trained To Defeat The Magus

In Marvel Comics, Gamora was adopted by Thanos and trained to be the perfect warrior, capable of defeating the evil future version of Adam Warlock known as the Magus. While the Magus hasn't been mentioned in the MCU, it's possible this storyline could introduce an older iteration of Gamora, one who has been battling with the Magus for years. This means a more seasoned actor could portray a hardened, warrior version of Gamora in the MCU's future.

Adam Warlock’s Phase 5 Debut Could Begin His Transformation Into The Magus

While the Magus hasn't been seen in the MCU just yet, the introduction of Will Poulter's Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 may have started this story in motion. Adam Warlock is right at the start of his journey, and it's possible he could have a bright future in the MCU. Adam Warlock and Gamora's relationship would be great to see in the MCU, particularly if the Magus is introduced.

Will Poulter's Adam Warlock's MCU origins have been changed, making him a product of the Sovereign and the High Evolutionary, and ridding him of the Soul Stone.

7 Exploring Thanos’ Backstory Could Debut A Younger Gamora

Thanos Has Been Rumored To Return To The MCU

Josh Brolin's Thanos has been rumored to return to the MCU, despite his double-death in Avengers: Endgame, so his return could explore some of the Mad Titan's mysterious backstory. This creates the opportunity for younger versions of Gamora to debut in the MCU, perhaps played again by Ariana Greenblatt, who played the young Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War's flashbacks. Thanos has a vibrant backstory, and Gamora was a huge part of it, so it would be great to see this story unfold in live-action.

Thanos’ Backstory Is Much Bigger Than Gamora & His Other Children

There are many mysteries concerning Thanos' backstory in the MCU, particularly after 2021's Eternals revealed that Harry Styles' Eternal Eros is the Mad Titan's brother. Thanos' upbringing on Titan hasn't been explored, aside from a small scene in Infinity War that revealed his plan for random genocide. Thanos' early life, and eventual adoption of his many terrifying children, would be fantastic to see in the MCU.

MCU Thanos Backstory SR
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6 Gamora Can Return In A New Body After Avengers: Infinity War

Gamora Was Sacrificed By Thanos In Avengers: Infinity War

Zoe Saldaña's original version of Gamora sadly lost her life at the hands of the Mad Titan, Thanos, in Avengers: Infinity War. This seemingly marked the bitter end of Gamora's story in the MCU, but there may still be a way this version of the character can return. Gamora's soul could inhabit a new body in the MCU's future, allowing a new actor to continue the story of the original Gamora. A reunion with Peter Quill would evidently be awkward, but this would be a brilliant way to bring back the fallen hero.

Gamora Inhabiting A New Body Occurs In Marvel Comics

There is precedent for this possession to happen in the MCU, as Gamora's soul takes on a new form in Marvel Comics. Upon returning from Soulworld, Gamora inhabited a new body, that of Bambi Long, who died in a tragic car accident. Bambi Long could debut in the MCU for Gamora's soul to return after her death.

5 Heroes Can Meet Gamora In The Soulworld

Gamora Appeared As A Child In Avengers: Infinity War’s Soulworld

The ending of Avengers: Infinity War proved that Gamora had become stuck inside Soulworld. Thanos sacrificed Gamora to obtain the Soul Stone on Vormir, and was once again met by the younger Gamora in Soulworld after snapping his fingers. Should more heroes find themselves in Soulworld in the MCU, possibly using Adam Warlock as a conduit similarly to in Marvel Comics, they could meet this younger iteration of Gamora, perhaps marking the return of Ariana Greenblatt.

Soulworld Plays A Major Role In Gamora’s Marvel Comics Storyline

Soulworld is a relatively unexplored location in the MCU, having only been visited briefly by Thanos, and by Tony Stark in a deleted scene from Infinity War. In Marvel Comics, however, Gamora spends a lot of time in Soulworld, as Adam Warlock keeps her and Pip the Troll safe inside his Soul Gem. Gamora, Pip and Adam spent years in Soulworld, so a story such as this could be told in the MCU's future.

Gamora Is Voiced By Cynthia McWilliams In What If...?

Perhaps the best way for Marvel Studios to continue telling Gamora-focused stories in the MCU's future is through the animated What If...? series. Cynthia McWilliams voices Gamora in What If...?, which means Zoe Saldaña doesn't have to return for Gamora to embark on more adventures across the multiverse. There is practically no limit to what stories could be told in Gamora's What If...? future, particularly after previous seasons saw her defeat Thanos alongside Tony Stark, and become a Guardian of the Multiverse.

What If season 3 poster
What If...?
Superhero
Animation
Action
Adventure
6/10
87
7.6/10
Release Date
2021 - 2024
6/10
87
7.6/10

Seasons
3
Streaming Service(s)
Disney+

What If...? Season 3 Will Explore More Multiversal Stories

In 2021, Marvel Studios' Brad Winderbaum revealed to What If...? season 3 is expected to release soon, and official images have confirmed episodes will focus on Red Guardian, Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson's Captain America, and Bill Foster.

3 Gamora Could Return In Avengers 5 & Secret Wars

Gamora’s Return In Phase 6 Would Bring The Ravagers Back To The MCU

While Zoe Saldaña has stated that she is likely done with Gamora for good, it's still possible she could reprise the role in Phase 6's Avengers 5 or Avengers: Secret Wars. Marvel Studios' Avengers movies are expected to feature many past MCU heroes, as well as those from non-MCU Marvel franchises, so this would be the perfect place for Gamora to return. This could see her either team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy again, or bring her new Ravager family into the action.

Avengers 5 & Secret Wars Are Expected To Include Many Heroes

Many past superheroes have been rumored to be appearing in Phase 6, particularly the original MCU heroes who ed away or retired during the Infinity Saga. Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man, Chris Evans' Captain America and Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow have all been speculated to return. They could be ed by the likes of Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man and Fox's X-Men and Fantastic Four heroes.

2 The MCU’s Reboot Could Introduce A New Gamora

Marvel Studios May Reboot The MCU After Avengers: Secret Wars

Marvel Studios has been rumored to be soft-rebooting the MCU in the wake of 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars, with Secret Wars' intense storyline establishing a new continuity for the MCU. This would create the opportunity for past MCU heroes to be recast and reinvented. A Secret Wars reboot would allow a new actor to become Gamora, perhaps a younger version of the character, bringing some of her unused Marvel Comics stories into the live-action MCU.

An MCU Reboot Has Marvel Comics Precedent

While a soft-reboot of the MCU may seem like a confusing choice to many, this happened at the end of Marvel Comics' Secret Wars event in 2015. After incursions ravaged the multiverse, the heroes who survived on Battleworld rebuilt the cosmos, marking the beginning of a new continuity. This allowed many heroes to be reinvented, and acted as a good starting point for new readers, so this could benefit the MCU in the same way.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame; Chris Evans as Captain America in The Winter Soldier.
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1 Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 4 Can Recast Gamora

A New Actor Could Take Over From Zoe Saldaña In The MCU’s Future

One of the easiest ways for Marvel Studios to bring Gamora back to the MCU without Zoe Saldaña's involvement would be to simply recast the character. This means that Gamora's story could pick up where Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 left off, perhaps in a future project focusing on the Ravagers, or indeed in a potential Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4. Some may find it shocking to see a new actor suddenly become Gamora instead of Saldaña, but this would be a quick and simple way for Gamora to return.

Other MCU Characters Have Been Recast

Marvel Studios has previously recast many characters under different circumstances. Edward Norton was replaced by Mark Ruffalo, while Don Cheadle took over from Terrence Howard. Cassie Lang, Howard Stark and Thanos have all been recast, and Harrison Ford is replacing the late William Hurt as General Thaddeus Ross. Gamora could see the same treatment in the MCU's future.