Guardians of the Galaxy’s Karen Gillan joins cast of 'Thor: Love and Thunder'
Thor: Love and Thunder has added another member of the Guardians of the Galaxy to its cast. Karen Gillan confirmed that she would be reprising her role as Nebula, the adopted daughter of the intergalactic warlord Thanos and adopted sister of Gamora, in the fourth film of the Thor saga.
The cast and crew of the film have been assembling in Sydney, Australia ahead of filming and while spending mandatory time in quarantine at a hotel, Gillan posted a new look update of her signature red locks on social media to prepare to step back into Nebula’s shoes.
"It’s not. This is the real deal! This is my hair. I cut it the other day in preparation for Nebula, so that we don't have to get so much hair into the bald cap because I have so much hair, it's unbelievable. It's just so thick," Gillan said on her Instastories account in response to a fan assumption that she was wearing a wig for the role.
karen gillan saying she cut her hair to prepare for guardians of the galaxy vol. 3 pic.twitter.com/3ekenFZGqG
— mcu #wandavision era (@mcubestof) January 18, 2021
Aside from receiving widespread recognition for portraying Nebula in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films since 2014, Gillan is also known for playing Amy Pond on the Matt Smith-era of Doctor Who, and as Ruby Roundhouse, the warrior persona of nerdy teenage girl Martha in the Jumanji film series.
Gillan's character Nebula has had an interesting journey in the MCU, going from antagonist to an accepted member of the Avengers family. The Guardians are set to appear in Thor: Love and Thunder after Chris Hemsworth's character took off in space at the end of Avengers: Endgame.
Gillan joins the growing cast of the film including fellow Guardians cast member Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Vin Diesel, whom director Taika Waititi says is portraying "Alpha Groot," Dave Bautista who plays Drax, and Mantis actress Pom Klementieff.
Plot details for Thor: Love and Thunder remain tightly under wraps, though Natalie Portman will be reprising her role as Jane Foster and taking up the mantle of Thor.
The Guardian’s appearance will presumably pick up after the end of Avengers: Endgame, which saw Thor boarding the Guardians of the Galaxy's ship The Benatar, leaving New Asgard to Valkyrie.
As reported by CBR.com, during the Hall H panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego in 2019, Waititi said that he read Jason Aaron's run on Thor while shooting Thor: Ragnarok, which heavily influenced Love and Thunder.
Directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Love and Thunder stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Jaimie Alexander as Lady Sif, Chris Pratt as Star-Lord and Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher. Waititi will voice the Kronan warrior Korg.
There’s also been news that Matt Damon, who recently touched down in Australia, might be set to return to the MCU via Thor: Love And Thunder after he made a cameo three years ago in Thor: Ragnarok.
The film is expected to arrive in theaters on May 6, 2022.
(Images via Marvel)