Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn reveals Yondu will stay dead in future films. Since the first film was released in 2014, the Guardians of the Galaxy films have become a key part of the MCU. Featuring a ragtag band of heroes including Peter “Star-Lord” Quill, Gamora, and Rocket Raccoon, among others, many fans and critics continue to feel the movies are a breath of fresh air in the Marvel universe. Though the first film took a mostly irreverent approach, its sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, was slightly more serious, focusing on Peter reuniting with his biological father.

A bandit and leader of the Ravagers, Yondu was a big character in both of the first two Guardians of the Galaxy films. He’s neither a straight hero or villain but is instead a sort of frenemy to the Guardians. This especially applies to Peter, as Yondu was a father figure to him. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Yondu grows closer to all the Guardians. The end of the movie finds him sacrificing himself to save Peter, who he truly saw as a son.

Now, Gunn has addressed whether Yondu may come back for future installments featuring the characters of Guardians of the Galaxy. Per Comicbook, Gunn took to Instagram to answer some fan questions. When one fan inquired about whether Gunn might “bring Yondu back,” Gunn responded, “Not to life no.” He went on to elaborate, “If a character dies in my films they will likely stay dead. I think stakes are important.” Though Gunn’s answer says definitively that Yondu won’t return from the dead, it doesn’t rule out an appearance in some other capacity in future Guardians of the Galaxy or other MCU films.

This new information about Yondu comes as fans are growing curious about the next Guardians film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Though the new movie was confirmed over the summer at San Diego Comic-Con, no release date has been announced. This is due to Gunn’s work on DC’s The Suicide Squad, which he’ll finish before beginning production on the new installment. Gunn recently stated that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 won’t film for around another year. However, in the meantime, fans have several MCU films to look forward to, including the long-awaited Black Widow movie, which comes out May 2020.

Gunn’s comments about Yondu may reassure some fans who worried his death would be undone in a future Guardians of the Galaxy film. As the director points out, it does lessen the stakes and Yondu’s sacrifice for Peter if he were to be brought back. It’s a similar conundrum Marvel creatives faced with Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. They had to make sure the effects of Thanos’ snap were felt, even though in that case they intended to bring characters back. Fans may be disappointed that Yondu won’t return in the present timeline, but at least there’s a chance they may see him again in some capacity.

More: Every Upcoming Marvel Movie (2020 - 2022)

Source: Comicbook, James Gunn

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