Summary

Michael Rosembaum reveals his small role in
Guardians of the Galaxy
was initially meant to be bigger, with Martinex’s powers cut for major characters.
Rosembaum is grateful for the opportunity, despite the role reduction, and enjoyed working with James Gunn.
James Gunn confirmed no fourth
Guardians
film in MCU, but characters could return in other projects.

Smallville star Michael Rosembaum has revealed that his small role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, and subsequently in Vol. 3was initially meant to be far bigger. Rosembaum plays Martinex in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a Ravager officer under Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone). Martinex appears briefly in Vol. 2, standing beside Ogord during his scenes, and joining him in wishing Yondu (Michael Rooker) farewell, but Martinex isn’t given a lot of screen time to shine on his own.

Speaking at Nashville Comic-Con (via THR), Rosembaum said that Martinex’s role in the MCU was initially larger. However, the character’s opportunity to flex their powers had to be cut to focus on the franchise’s major characters. “The role was supposed to be a lot bigger,” Rosembaum told the audience. Alongside Stallone’s Ogord, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was going to set up Martinex for further development in follow-up movies, but this was ultimately scrapped by James Gunn. He continued:

“You were supposed to see… it was written in the script to see Martinex’s powers, which were really cool. But they had so much to talk about in the script that they ended up cutting it out at the end. And there was some other stuff.”

However, Michael Rosembaum isn’t angry or bitter about the decision, understanding that it had to be cut to streamline the movie. He still described working with Gunn and the other co-stars as “fun”, saying:

“It was fun. For me, it’s like, I’m working with my friends, I get paid, I’m in a big Marvel movie, life could suck worse, you know what I mean? I’m very grateful.”

What’s Next For the Guardians of the Galaxy?

The Guardians of the Galaxycompleted their cinematic trilogy in 2023, with many believing it to be the end of their journey in the MCU. But will they be returning to our screens again? Well, according to James Gunn, it’s a firm “no.” Responding to a fan’s question on X/Twitter, James Gunn firmly announced he won’t be returning to direct a fourth Guardians film in the MCU.

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However, that doesn’t mean the characters can’t return in other MCU projects, or their own standalone movies. As well as rounding out the trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 also introduced some new characters, including the long-awaited debut of Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) and Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) uncle (Solomon Mousley) on Earth. Some of the film’s leading stars are also open to returning for more movies. Zoe Saldaña, who plays Gamora in the MCU, has previously said “it would be a huge loss” for the Guardians not to return in future movies. Saldana said that Guardians of the Galaxy is one of Marvel’s best projects, and fans will always want to watch more, saying:

“It’s just such a fan-favorite group of misfits, you know? And then at the helm, they had a voice like James Gunn’s writing.”

Were James Gunn to return for a fourth movie, he’d need to find time in his immensely busy schedule. After three successful Guardians of the Galaxy films (and a Christmas Special), Gunn is now taking the reins of the new DC Universe. He’s kickstarting the new venture with Superman, starring David Corenswet, which is currently slated to release on July 11, 2025.

All three
Guardians of the Galaxy
movies are available to stream on Disney+.