Is Nebula Returning to the MCU? Karen Gillan Hints

She laughed, deflected, and then smiled like someone guarding a secret—Karen Gillan did more than dodge the question about Nebula’s future in the MCU; she opened a door just wide enough to keep speculation alive.

After Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 closed with a note that was equal parts heartbreak and healing, Nebula chose a quieter life: leaving the ragged family of Guardians behind to care for the child they rescued from the High Evolutionary and to shepherd a fragile community into something resembling peace. It felt like an ending. It also felt like an invitation.

During a chat with The Direct about her new pregnancy comedy Let’s Have Kids, talk inevitably turned back to Marvel. Gillan confirmed she’s been in conversations with the studio—but stopped short of revealing whether those talks concern a concrete return. “I’ve talked to them,” she said with a laugh, “but I can’t tell you what it’s about.” She’s speaking. She’s not spilling.

She’s still in contact with Marvel, and that simple fact keeps the possibility of Nebula’s return alive.

Why does that matter? Because the MCU is a tangle of timelines and multiverses now. Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars loom on the horizon—Doomsday expected to reshape alliances, Secret Wars rumored to play with Battleworld-style realities. Production for Secret Wars is slated to begin in early 2027, and while Guardians may not feature prominently in Doomsday, Secret Wars is the sort of event that can pull characters back in from unexpected corners. Could Nebula show up as a Battleworld baron under Doctor Doom? It’s the kind of twist that feels right for her.

Fans have been parsing casting leaks and narrative clues. Many expect Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord to return, and if a few Guardians pop up, Nebula is a natural candidate—especially given her complex ties to cosmic politics and Doctor Doom-tinged arcs in certain timelines. At the same time, the role Nebula might have played in Doomsday appears to be occupied by Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), who brings her own history with Doctor Doom into that story.

Outside live-action, Gillan has kept Nebula alive in Marvel animation. She returned to voice the character in What If…?—a season that leaned into neo-noir, Blade Runner-like aesthetics and saw Nebula become a Nova police detective in a timeline where Ronan kills Thanos early. These animated detours remind us how flexible Nebula’s arc can be. New formats mean fresh storytelling angles.

Marvel Animation also announced Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian, a two-part Halloween special arriving in 2029. The studio hasn’t revealed who the titular “Last Guardian” is, and while Nebula has already appeared as a zombie in some animated worlds, the show’s reality-bending possibilities make surprises possible. Wanda’s hexes and fractured timelines have a way of rewriting what seemed permanent.

So where does that leave us? Gillan’s coy confirmation of ongoing talks is the clearest signal we’ve had since Vol. 3. It doesn’t answer the question. Not yet. But it does mean one thing: don’t be surprised if Nebula reappears—somewhere, sometime, and perhaps not in the way you expect. Keep your theories sharp and your popcorn ready.