Guardians of the Galaxy Characters Mark Hamill Would Be Perfect For

With the idea of Mark Hamill joining the MCU in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 suddenly seeming likely, let's take a look at some of the characters he could play. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is set to shoot early next year, meaning details on the film should begin coming in over the coming months. James Gunn, the writer and director of the film, is an avid social media user. Because of that, we've learned a lot of interesting tidbits about the film. And we may even know one of the movie's big cameos.RELATED: James Gunn Says Disney/FOX Deal Won't Change Guardians of the Galaxy 3This weekend, a fan sparked a discussion between Gunn and Mark Hamill about the veteran Star Wars actor joining Disney's other big cosmic adventure franchise. Both parties seemed game and Hamill's involvement in some corner of the MCU does seem a foregone conclusion. Countless actors have jumped between both universes and Gunn proved in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that he's a fan of packing his films with cameos. In fact, Hamill lines up perfectly with the casting decisions we've seen so far for the original Ravagers/Guardians, meaning a number of characters from the comic book team could be reworked for Hamill. After all, Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell hardly resemble their comic counterparts. The MCU has also begun placing eccentric actors as the Elders of the Universe, and Hamill would certainly pair nicely with both Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster and Benecio del Toro's Collector.This Page: Mark Hamill Could Plan An Elder of the Universe

Mark Hamill Could Plan An Elder of the Universe

The tag at the end of Thor: The Dark World first introduced the Elders of the Universe to the MCU when the God of Thunder and his friends brought the Aether (aka the Reality Stone) to the Collector. It wasn't until Guardians of the Galaxy, however, that we got more of Benecio del Toro in the role as he channeled the eccentric character who lives amidst his collection of things, creatures, and people. The scene was a treasure trove of Easter eggs and also gave us the first backstory for the Infinity Stones and teased the Celestials. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 then teased that the Elders, including Ego the Living Planet, may themselves be called Celestials in the MCU”thus combining the two cosmic groups.

Finally, Thor: Ragnarok brought in Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster, removing his blue skin and lining his look up with his brother the Collector. When the idea of Hamill joining the MCU first emerged, it wasn't hard to imagine him playing yet another of these wizened oddballs who each operate in their own corner of the universe. And given how many relatively minor and obscure Elders there are in Marvel comics, it's easy to imagine Gunn plucking one and adapting him for Hamill.

The Collector first appeared in 1966's Avengers #28, but it wasn't until issues #174 in 1978 that the idea of him being an Elder emerged. Since then, all sorts of other Elders have arrived, like the Astronomer, the Contemplator, the Trader, and the Explorer. Marvel even recently added the original Grandmaster, known as the Challenger, to the comics. Fans have been pointing towards the Gardener, however, as a likely candidate for Hamill. Also know as Ord Zyonz, the Gardener was creating by Bill Mantlo (who also dreamt up Rocket Raccoon) for 1977's Marvel Team-Up #55. As his name implies, he keeps a garden (on Earth's moon, no less) and has possessed multiple Infinity Stones in his time. Many of his traits were given to the human form of Ego in the MCU, but there's no shortage of other Elders that Hamill could play.

Though many fans may simply know Hamill from his time as Luke Skywalker, his roles as the Trickster on both versions of The Flash and his long years voicing the Joker offer a taste of what he could bring to an Elder. And with the possibility of him joining a Grandmaster and Collector team-up, it's easy to imagine Gunn choosing one of the cosmic characters for Hamill and adding him to the family.

Bug

While any of the Elders are fair game for Hamill, the other strong possibility is that Gunn will rework more of the original Guardians of the Galaxy. For years in the comics, the team from the films didn't use the name. Instead, an outfit led by Vance Astro operated as the Guardians of the Galaxy in the year 3000. The more modern take was chosen for the film given their roguish attitude, but Gunn decided to feature a number of the original team in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. As Yondu was a big part of that movie and also served as an original Guardian, the other members were turned into Ravagers and past adventures for the team were teased. We've heard the original Ravagers could return to the MCU and with Gunn exploring the cosmic MCU outside of the Guardians franchise, there's plenty left to adapt.

We know Vance Astro won't be Guardians of the Galaxy 3, which leaves only a handful of likely candidates for the older Hamill. Luckily, Gunn is clearly okay with reimagining the more obscure Guardians to fit the actors he likes. That's why Bug seems like a fun possibility for who Hamill could play. Also created by Mantlo, Bug first appeared in Micronauts #1 in 1977. The big issue with the character is he seems to be owned by Hasbro. They're working on a Micronauts movie which very well could include Bug, but the hero was also part of the original Guardians team and the 2008 version the films are based upon.

RELATED: Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Should Bring Kitty Pryde to the MCU

Gunn has stated before he wants to include Bug in a film and fans constantly ask him about it online. Hamill certainly doesn't look anything like the grasshopper-esque warrior, but it's easy to imagine the character being reworked. It's also possible he could simply be CGI and Hamill will lend his voice talents to the role. If Marvel and Hasbro can work out a deal along the lines of the one that let Spider-Man into the MCU, then Hamill playing Bug could be an exciting way to introduce the character.

Firelord

If Bug is off the table, then another major Guardians of the Galaxy character that Gunn could remake into a grizzled Ravager is Firelord. Pyreus Kril debuted in 1974's Thor #225 by Gerry Conway and John Buscema. With a variety of cosmic powers, including strength, flight, and electromagnetic manipulation, Firelord is a powerful character who's fought alongside the Avengers and against Galactus. Firelord also graduated from the Nova Academy, thus his appearance would be another way to further explore that group in the MCU. He also spent some time serving with the future Guardians of the Galaxy, so he seems on the table for a Gunn reimagining.

Gunn has never been shy about tweaking the Marvel characters he adapts. In fact, his franchise has made some of the biggest changes to characters once they join the MCU. Gamora and Drax have been altered considerably, while most of the original Guardians had look and personality changes. It's safe to assume this tactic will continue, especially when it comes to slightly obscure characters. So while Hamill may not look like the Firelord on the page, it's not hard to imagine a redesign of him showing up as yet another Ravager leader in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Pip the Troll

Our final suggestion is a character with plenty of cosmic connections, though not someone typically associated with the Guardians of the Galaxy: Pip the Troll. Created by Thanos creator Jim Starlin, Pip first appeared in 1975's Strange Tales #179. He's best known, however, for his pivotal role in The Infinity Gauntlet, The Infinity War, and The Infinity Watch.

RELATED: Adam Warlock Not Yet Confirmed For Guardians of the Galaxy 3

Aspects of all of these stories will play into Avengers: Infinity War, which is why many fans got their hopes up about a Pip appearance when it was rumored Peter Dinklage was joining the MCU. We haven't heard anything about that in quite a long time, however, so it's possible that's no longer the plan. In fact, Pip doesn't appear to have a role in Avengers 3 and Avengers 4 at all, which makes sense.

Unlike the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, the Phase 3-ending Avengers movies will likely have a more dramatic tenor. A cigar smoking satyr, therefore, would hardly fit in. But Gunn's franchise is the perfect place to introduce Pip and explore some of his cosmic adventures as that corner of the MCU appears. Because of that, it would be a lot of fun for Hamill to play the character, channeling both the grizzled Luke from Star Wars: The Last Jedi and his eccentric Trickster and Joker characters. Like the Elders, Pip could also have a big future in the space-based MCU, meaning Hamill's role could be more than a one-off. And with the character returning to Marvel Comics, it seems the MCU is the next step.

For now, we're unlikely to learn about whether or not Hamill has joined the MCU until more details about Guardians of the Galaxy 3 are revealed. And though the film is expected to arrive in 2020, we probably won't hear story or even casting details until marketing for Avengers 4 and Spider-Man: Homecoming 2 begin. But with the way the MCU and Gunn's franchise, in particular, have gone so far, it's easy to see Hamill joining the universe”and there are plenty of great characters he could play in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

MORE: Every Power Marvel's Infinity Stones Will Give Thanos

Tags