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Overtheyears,theMCUhasprovidedits fanswitharichtapestryof intergalactic adventures and showdowns between the good, the evil, and the grey,andoneparticularlyfascinating cog in the machinehasbeenKarenGillan’sNebula.
Among one of the most memorable characters in the superhero film franchise, the former cybernetic assassin’s journey, even after her redemption in the past few movies, culminates into an experience of genuine happiness at the end ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
In a recent interview, reflecting on this satisfying arc and the transformation in the character’s temperament, the actress who brought the portrayal to life made a statement symbolic of the path Nebula takes throughout her many appearances in the superhero series.
Affirming the purpose the killing machine-turned-hero has ultimately found for herself, Gillan’s remarks show the tragedy of the character’s past and what she was previously deprived of—love. And that love is now something of hers to give.
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MCU Star Karen Gillan Reflects On Nebula’s Heartfelt Character Arc
In an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, 36-year-old Scottish actressKaren Gillansummarized her thoughts on the conclusion of theGuardianstrilogy and the parental role her character assumes at the end of the thirdJames Gunn-helmed movie. She said:
“Nebula has got a real sense of purpose now. And it’s such a major part of healing. She’s been through so much, and now she can finally accept love and show love towards other people. So the last stage of all that healing is helping other people, and that’s exactly what she’s doing.”
ThroughoutGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, we saw flashes of Nebula’s anger, often translated into getting impatient and frustrated by the flaws of her found family, who are by no means perfect individuals.
However, as Mantis helped point out, this came from her own insecurity and a lack of self-acceptance. Despite that, she holds the ability to care immensely, as evidenced by her breaking down after learning of Rocket’s revival. But it’s not just Rocket who gives her the strength to feel these emotions and move a step forward in her journey of betterment.
Drax, Mantis, Quill—we see her often lash out at these characters, but we also see how they make her a better person and bring out the best in her. As soon as the mirror is held to the remnants of her past rage and trauma, she learns to love and appreciate her teammates, seeing them for more than their ‘flaws.’ And as an extension, she slowly does the same for herself.
Gillan’s statement on the ending, which sees Nebula staying on Knowhere with Drax to help raise the rescued children, sheds light on these changes. The former killing machine puppeteered by Thanos lets go of her shackles and learns to finally, and unapologetically, love—the one thing she needed desperately in the past and was deprived of.
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Karen Gillan’s Remarks Serve As A Callback To Nebula’s Heart-wrenching Past
When audiences first witnessed Nebula on-screen, she was cold, ruthless, and sadistic—all traits that spell a riveting villain. But then, we notice the cracks in her disposition. There’s a reason for her being, as explored in the unfolding dynamic she shared with Thanos as his adopted daughter and Gamora as her adopted sister.
As Gillan correctly pointed out, the erstwhile Luphomoid assassin has only now realized her purpose. At first, she was nothing but a pawn in Thanos’ grand set-up.
The genocidal warlord would make Nebula feel inadequate by constantly favoring Gamora. He would go to the hellish extent of tormenting her for her failings. He turned her into sentient machinery by mutilating her body and replacing parts of her with cybernetic enhancements. He rendered her sense of self to a null.
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But with her newfound sense of purpose, she can allow the rescued children, who were subjects under the High Evolutionary, a much better fate. She can offer them what she once yearned for.
And beyond this, Nebula can“finally accept and show love,”an element that ties into her relationship with Gamora. Here, the lines that reverberate are the ones she tells the latter inVol. 2,“You wanted to win, I just wanted a sister!”
At the end ofGOTGVol. 3, we see Nebula come into her own, freed from the trauma that held her back from experiencing unconditional happiness. She can now extend her kindness and help those who would’ve otherwise suffered the same cruelty she did. With this, she honors herselfandthe ‘family’ who allowed her to do so.
All theGuardians of the Galaxyfilms are available for streaming on Disney+.
Debdipta Bhattacharya
Articles Published :659
Debdipta Bhattacharya is a content writer at FandomWire, where she has written more than 500 articles on various topics of interest. She possesses a sincere passion for popular culture, anime, film production, and the evolving world of YouTube and streaming culture which has allowed her to be a devoted and well-informed writer. Debdipta holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication. She has honed her skills and expertise in content writing with over two years of experience and strives to learn and grow daily.
