Before achieving widespread fame as Nebula in the Guardians of the Galaxy series, Karen Gillan embarked on a captivating audition journey in Hollywood. As everyone knows, Marvel Studios boasts an exceptional lineup of characters, and the 35-year-old audition for a role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier marked an exhilarating turning point in her career.
The unexpected sequence of events eventually led to her iconic depiction of Nebula gracing the silver screen.
Karen Gillan Tried Out For A Part In Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Karen Gillan, now a stalwart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, initially entered the Marvel world with an intriguing audition for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Her successful audition opened the door to her eventual iconic portrayal of Nebula in the Guardians of the Galaxy series.
Gillan’s journey within the MCU is a testament to her versatility as an actress. Initially cast for a single appearance as Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy, her performance left such a lasting impact that Marvel Studios decided to bring her back for subsequent films, including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
But before she donned Nebula’s cybernetic makeup, Gillan tried her hand at a different Marvel role. Casting director Sarah Finn, recalling the audition process, revealed that Gillan initially auditioned for the role of Agent 13, Sharon Carter, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Ultimately, Emily VanCamp was cast as Agent 13, but Gillan’s audition left a lasting impression. Finn saw in Gillan an incredibly grounded yet delightfully quirky and charming actor. She explained via Heroic Hollywood,
“Karen was someone who was an incredibly grounded and solid actor but who was also cooky and charming in the most wonderful way. Even though she had never played a character like Nebula, I was really interested to see her read.”
Further, Finn added,
“So, she came in and auditioned. James described Nebula as being somewhat childlike and Karen as having this kind of cherubic beauty mixed with the darkness that she was able to convey.”
It was this unique blend of qualities that piqued Finn’s interest, leading her to cast Gillan as Nebula in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
Gillan’s successful journey from Agent 13 auditionee to Nebula showcases her talent and range as an actress and her ability to bring a complex character to life in the MCU.
With her notable performance, the actress has cemented Guardians of the Galaxy’s place in the MCU, making its future even more intriguing.
The MCU’s Next Steps For Guardians Of The Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy, cherished in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, are sparking curiosity among fans regarding their future adventures. As the MCU undergoes continuous evolution, discussions about the destiny of this unconventional, cosmic crew are in full swing.
While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has been released in theaters, Marvel Studios has yet to officially reveal the team’s future in the MCU.
The mid-credits scene of the third installment introduced a new cosmic squad. Director James Gunn, an advocate for keeping the Guardians in the MCU, has confirmed discussions about the franchise’s future with Marvel Studios.
Gillan’s return as Nebula in future MCU projects remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista have affirmed that Vol. 3 will mark their final appearances as Gamora and Drax.
However, Saldana expressed her desire to see her character’s legacy continued, potentially through a new actress, to preserve the characters’ immortality for future generations of fans. According to Total Film, she said,
“I would love for Marvel to figure out a way to find that next generation of actors that can incarnate these characters, and give them this immortality that fans generationally keep coming back to.”
The Guardians are poised to play a pivotal role in the broader MCU narrative, connecting with other heroes and events.