GOTG 3 Needs To End Drax’s MCU Story By Introducing A New Cosmic Hero

Dave Bautista’s looming MCU exit with Guardians of the Galaxy 3 means the movie needs to introduce a new cosmic hero tied to Drax to end his story.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will end Drax’s story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that needs to include introducing a new cosmic hero: his daughter, Moondragon. Dave Bautista’s character is returning for the final entry in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, but all signs point to this being the last appearance of Drax. Bautista has confirmed that he is moving on from the role after the Phase 5 film. This puts Guardians of the Galaxy 3 in a position of needing to wrap up Drax’s MCU story in a satisfying way.

One of the driving forces of Drax’s arc in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise is tied to his family. He tragically lost his wife and daughter at the hands of Ronan the Accuser, which fueled his vengeful mission in the first film. This also allowed him to turn his focus toward Thanos, although the MCU failed to deliver on Drax fighting the Mad Titan. While Bautista’s character has found a new family with the Guardians, it is still thought that his original family will play a role in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. If this is Drax’s final MCU movie, the sequel must introduce Moondragon.

Related: Can MCU Drax Actually Be Killed Or Is He Invincible?

Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Needs Drax’s Daughter, Moondragon

Heather Douglas a.k.a. Moondragon is Drax’s daughter in the comics and could play a pivotal role in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. The original movie confirmed that Drax had a daughter named Camaria with his wife, but she is believed to have died at Ronan’s hand. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 could reveal that this was not the case and instead have Drax’s daughter return with superpowers. Moondragon has very powerful telepathic abilities in the comics, but the MCU could potentially reveal that her powers came as a result of experimentation by High Evolutionary.

The twist that Guardians of the Galaxy 3 includes Moondragon would allow the franchise to continue exploring Drax’s family in his final appearance. His daughter’s return could even explain why he will die in the sequel. Instead of Dave Bautista’s character dying so he could be reunited with his wife and daughter in death, Guardians of the Galaxy 3 can have Drax die protecting Moondragon. His sacrifice could come as he frees her from High Evolutionary’s control or with the knowledge that him dying along with the villain will help keep his daughter safe. That would give Drax’s daughter’s introduction some thematic importance for Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

Moondragon’s MCU Role Can Give Drax A Legacy

Moondragon’s introduction in Guardians of the Galaxy 3 would also be a chance for the MCU to give Drax a legacy. Her appearance in the movie would certainly come before she joins the next iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy team. Dave Bautista’s MCU exit means Drax would not also be included as long as Marvel Studios does not mistakenly recast the character. Moondragon joining the Guardians in the future would help keep Drax in the minds of viewers and other members as she follows in her father’s footsteps to be a significant cosmic hero.

This would be a good way for the MCU also to give Drax a different legacy than other retired or killed-off heroes. There cannot be another character who starts to go by Drax’s name, as it is not a mantle that can be passed down like Captain America or Hawkeye. Moondragon can instead follow in Cassie Lang’s footsteps to be an MCU superhero who had a parent with superpowers as long as Guardians of the Galaxy 3 introduces her as Drax’s daughter.

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