That particular scene was so lovely. It was the epitome of what happens to you under great stress. The intense focus on a small thing, the way you can take a game that seriously, just to not think too hard on what’s really happening. Adding in the fact that for Nebula, this is really still the early days of her social interaction in terms of making friends, it’s a sweet moment. These two actors are so good that I didn’t think for a second that it was all improv, making the knowledge even better. 

Gillan also told the site that there is more improv to come (if it stays in the film) in “Guardians of the Galaxy 3.” She said, “This time around in ‘Guardians 3’, she’s, yeah, she’s improvising a lot more lines. I don’t know if they’ll make the cut but I hope they do.” 

I hope so, too. I’ve been a fan of Gillan’s since “Doctor Who,” and I still lament the cancelation of her short-lived TV series “Selfie.” “Guardians of the Galaxy 3” will feature the return of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper, motion-captured by Sean Gunn), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Groot the tree (voiced by Vin Diesel), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and Drax (Dave Bautista). Sylvester Stallone will return as Stakar Ogord, Sean Gunn will once again play Kraglin, and Chukwudi Iwuji (recently seen in Gunn’s TV series “Peacemaker”) is playing an as-yet-undisclosed role. Will Poulter is set to play Adam Warlock.

The Guardians will return first in a holiday special on Disney+ this December, and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” is set for release on May 5, 2023.