GOTG 3 and the fate of the first dog in space

ChatGPT summary: The article discusses Maria Bakalova's role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as Cosmo the Spacedog and a gender change made to the character. While Cosmo is male in the comics and referred to as a "good boy," in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Cosmo is portrayed as female and called a "good dog." Some Marvel fans expressed their dissatisfaction with this change on Twitter, prompting director James Gunn to provide an explanation. Gunn stated that Cosmo is based on Laika, the Russian dog who was a female and one of the first animals in space. Laika's gender was important for the mission as female canines are smaller and more docile. The gender swap of Cosmo in Vol. 3 serves as a tribute to Laika and aligns with the film's exploration of animal testing. Gunn clarified that the MCU operates within a multiverse, allowing for different versions of characters. The article concludes by noting that character changes are not uncommon in the MCU, and it's positive to see directors engaging with fans and providing insights into the creative decisions. FULL STORY from Inverse