Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 writer and director James Gunn has commented on Harry Styles’ Starfox appearing in the upcoming film.
Gunn at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 was asked about rumours surrounding a possible appearance from Styles in Guardians 3. Responding to the question, he said, “Nope! I am setting the record straight. Starfox doesn't pop up. Nope.”
Before Gunn made these comments, Marvel Studios President and Marvel CCO Kevin Feige revealed that Starfox would return. He, however, did not reveal much regarding when and where this would happen.
“The adventures of Eros and Pip [the Troll] is something that is very exciting for us,” he said, adding that Starfox and Pip will be part of the cosmic portion of the franchise.
Harry Styles made his MCU debut as Eros aka Starfox in a post-credits scene in last year’s Eternals. The character appeared alongside the CGI Pip the Troll, voiced by Patton Oswalt, and was confirmed to be the brother of the MCU’s last big bad, Thanos.
Though the future of Starfox in the MCU is vague at the moment, Patton Oswalt, who voiced Pip in Eternals, recently opened to spinoff rumours focused on his and Style’s characters. "I have not heard those rumours. That would be amazing if (a Pip/Starfox spinoff happened) because it just seems to me that every time Marvel has rolled the dice on these kinds of B or C-level characters everyone is like, 'Oh, who cares about them?' That's where they end up kind of really blossoming.”
Set to hit cinemas on May 5, 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is the first film to exclusively focus on the title team since Guardians of the Galaxy 2 in 2017. Though the characters have appeared in Avengers: Infinity War in 2018 and Avengers: Endgame in 2019, as well as making a cameo in the recently released Thor: Love and Thunder.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.