Yesterday, Chris Pratt, who plays Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hinted that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could take place before Avengers: Infinity War. He even noted that it could be a prequel.
However, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn had previously answered a fan that the film would take place after the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
It will be after.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) June 18, 2018
One would assume then, that the film would not be a prequel as Pratt jokingly suggested. However, it still doesn’t rule out the film won’t be taking place in the past, it will just be taking place after the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
A number of theories are buzzing about the inclusion of time travel into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Avengers 4. We’ve already seen time manipulated in both Doctor Strange and Avengers: Infinity War. However, that was using the power of the Time Stone when Doctor Strange fought Dormammu and then when Thanos brought Vision back to life after Scarlet Witch destroyed him and the Mind Stone.
If time travel is used in Avengers 4, it’s quite possible the Guardians of the Galaxy could exploit it as well in their own film.
Another completely separate idea to see the Guardians operate in the past could be the introduction of Kang the Conqueror as a primary foe to the Guardians.
Kang the Conqueror or Nathaniel Richards was born in the year 3000 and is a time traveling villain of the Avengers. His origin involves him discovering a time machine and traveling to ancient Egypt in a sphinx-shaped ship. While in Egypt, he took the title Pharaoh Rama-Tut and ruled over the area for over a decade.
I could see Marvel Studios doing something similar to Back to the Future II, where the Guardians make a mistake in their first dealings with Kang and he uses it to exploit and defeat them and gain control over the time stream. The Guardians would need to use time travel in order to defeat him.
Do you think Marvel Studios and James Gunn will introduce Kang in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?