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When the Guardians of the Galaxy first appeared on the silver screen in 2014, the intergalactic adventure wowed even the most hardcore Marvel fans. Fast-forward to May 5, 2023, the release date of the third (also the final) Guardians movie, the beloved band of misfits managed to captivate their audiences across the globe just as well as they did in the first movie. Apart from the stunning visuals and captivating storyline, it’s the Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 3) cast that makes the life and heart of the movie. While you’ll recognize many familiar characters in the trilogy capper, there are some new ones. Quick Facts The main cast of the previous two Guardians films is also in Vol. 3, including Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord), Zoe Saldaña (Gamora), Vin Diesel (Groot’s voice), Bradley Cooper (Rocket Raccoon’s voice), and Dave Bautista (Drax). While director James Gunn was fired from the project by Disney owing to the resurfacing of his controversial tweets made years ago, he was rehired to be on board with Vol. 3 as writer and director. Gunn confirmed that Vol. 3 would conclude the current iteration of the Guardians team and their story arc. However, future Marvel films could have a casting with a new lineup or version of the group. Chris Pratt: Peter Quill / Star-Lord A Celestial-human hybrid abducted from Earth as a young boy, just minutes after he watched his terminally-ill mother die at the hospital, Peter Quill, played by Chris Pratt, is then raised by Yondu. The opening of Vol. 3 shows Quill still in a depressed state and mourning the death of his lover – Gamora, who was killed by Thanos, her adoptive father. Later, he’s even more devastated that the Gamora from the past doesn’t have the same feelings for him. While Pratt’s stardom started with his role as Andy on Parks & Recreation, he has appeared in several blockbusters after that, including the Jurassic World franchise. He’s also the voice of Mario in The Super Mario Bros Movie. Other notable appearances include Zero Dark Thirty, Moneyball, and Jennifer’s Body. Zoe Saldaña: Gamora Zoe Saldaña plays Gamora, the adopted daughter of Thanos, who is also killed by her father in Avengers: Infinity War for the Soul Stone. Thanks to Endgame’s time-travel shenanigans, we see the younger version of Gamora, who traveled to the present but remembered nothing from the previous two Guardians films, including her romantic relationship with Star-Lord. Saldaña is among the highest-grossing actors and is famous for her roles as Nyota Uhura in modern Star Trek films and Neytiri in the Avatar films. She has also acted in Amsterdam, Live by Night and The Adam Project. Bradley Cooper: Rocket Raccoon It’s impossible not to think of Hangover when you hear Bradley Cooper’s name. He’s also the voice of Rocket Raccoon, a raccoon genetically modified at a young age by the High Evolutionary and a member of the Guardians. Rocket and Groot, his tree companion, are originally bounty hunters when they come across Peter Quill. By teaming up, they eventually become the Guardians of the Galaxy. Beyond Hangover, Cooper has also earned Oscar nominations for roles in A Star is Born, American Sniper, American Hustle, and Silver Linings Playbook. Vin Diesel: Groot The only words this tree-like humanoid can utter are “I am Groot,” and Vin Diesel is the voice behind Groot. Only his angry rodent friend, Rocket, can understand Groot’s unique language. After Groot sacrifices himself in the first movie, Rocket reincarnates his wooden buddy using only a single stick. This is when we get to see the delightful Baby Groot while Vol. 3 has Groot as a young adult. Vin Diesel, notable for playing Dominic Toretto in the Fast & Furious franchise, has also worked in The Chronicles of Riddick, xXx movies, Bloodshot, and Ralph Breaks the Internet. Dave Bautista: Drax the Destroyer Initially a WWE wrestler, Bautista paved his way into acting and plays Drax, a Kylosian warrior whose family was slaughtered by Ronan the Accuser. While Drax may seem like a muscular moron at first glance, he is one of the funniest characters among the Guardians and probably in any MCU film. He’s also more than happy to risk his life for this band of misfits he’s grown fond of after losing his family. Bautista has shown impressive acting skills in films like Army of the Dead, Spectre, Knock at the Cabin, and Blade Runner 2049. Karen Gillan: Nebula Initially portrayed as a total villain, Nebula (played by Karen Gillan), is also Gamora’s sister. After Karen Gillan’s character, Nebula, concluded in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, there were doubts if she would reprise her role. Nebula was tortured by her adoptive father, Thanos, who tried to alter her cybernetically. Yet, being unable to match Gamora’s skills caused Nebula’s rivalry with Gamora. However, they eventually mend their strained relationship, and Nebula joins the Avengers, regrouping with the Guardians in Endgame. Gillan has played Amy Pond in seasons 4-7 of Doctor Who. Other movies she’s appeared in include Gunpowder Milkshake, The Big Short, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Pom Klementieff: Mantis We are introduced to Pom Klementieff’s character Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and has returned to Vol. 3. Mantis is Peter’s half-sister and a celestial hybrid with empathic powers. After losing her father, Ego, she joins the Guardians and becomes a valuable team member. Klementieff has appeared in several films in France (her homeland). She’s also been a part of Thunder Force, Uncut Gems, and Ingrid Goes West and will be seen in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1. Elizabeth Debicki: Ayesha Ayesha, The Golden High Priestess of the Sovereign, is played by Elizabeth Debicki. Her character is part of a genetically-engineered alien race that considers themselves the perfect lifeforms. Following the events of Vol. 2, Ayesha is desperate for revenge on the Guardians in Vol. 3. Debicki has appeared in some memorable roles on the big and small screens. She’s known for her roles in The Tale, The Night Manager, The Great Gatsby, and Macbeth. She also stars as Princess Diana in season 5 of The Crown. Will Poulter: Adam Warlock Remember Adam Warlock was teased at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2? That was the build-up for Vol. 3. Will Poulter plays Adam Warlock, a powerful super-being that the Sovereign created to retaliate against the Guardians. Warlock originally debuted in a 1967 issue of Fantastic Four and has Superman-like abilities of flight and super-strength. Poulter started as a child actor in 2007’s Son of Rambow and has acted in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Little Stranger, The Maze Runner, and Midsommar. Maria Bakalova: Cosmo the Spacedog An adorable addition to the Guardians films, Cosmo the Spacedog is played by Maria Bakalova. The character of Cosmo is based on Laika, a female Soviet space dog who was sent to space and died in orbit in 1957. Cosmo briefly appeared in the first Guardians film, in the Collector’s (played by Benicio Del Toro) extensive collection of trapped creatures. Upon the destruction of the collection, Cosmo supposedly escaped. Bakalova is best known from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, starring alongside Sacha Baron Cohen. Sean Gunn: Kraglin Obfonteri The Gunn surname isn’t a coincidence; Sean Gunn is James Gunn’s younger brother. He plays Kraglin, a Ravager who was one of Yondu’s crew before he died Vol. 2. Kraglin becomes a Guardians member and serves under Peter while displaying his fierce loyalty toward his captain, armed with Yondu’s powerful and deadly arrow. Fastening his captain’s signature fin on his head is probably his way of honoring Yondu. While you might’ve seen him trying to use the weapon in a Vol. 2 end credits scene, he’s still attempting to get the hang of Yondu’s arrow in Vol. 3. Sean Gunn also played Weasel in The Suicide Squad. Chukwudi Iwuji: The High Evolutionary Marvel’s new psychopath, The High Evolutionary, named by Gunn as the cruelest villain yet in the MCU, is played by Chukwudi Iwuji. The character’s name says it all; he is hellbent on creating the perfect, highly evolved species. Never satisfied, The High Evolutionary uses existing creatures and people to “enhance” them, hoping to create a flawless being. In his quest for nothing less than perfection, he’s willing to put millions of life forms through torture and mutilation. Even Rocket was among his test subjects. Iwuji has also starred in Designated Survivor, The Split, and John Wick: Chapter 2. Linda Cardellini: Lylla the Otter Remember Velma from the live-action Scooby-Doo (written by James Gunn)? That was Linda Cardellini, and 20 years later, she reunited with Gunn to voice Lylla Otter. The High Evolutionary also experimented on Lylla Otter, who spent her days with Rocket and their other furry friends in a cage. You might recognize Cardellini as Laura (Hawkeye’s wife) from the MCU, Gravity Falls, ER, and Freaks and Geeks. Sylvester Stallone: Stakar Ogord The legendary Oscar-nominated actor, popularly known for playing Rocky, Rambo, and many other characters, Sylvester Stallone, plays Stakar Ogord in Guardians Vol. 3. His character, Stakar (also referred to as Starhawk in the comics), is a highly-respected Ravager captain who is looked up to by Yondu. If you watched Vol. 2’s end credits scene, you would’ve seen Stakar forming his team. The team featured his wife, Aleta Ogord, first mate Martinex, and a few old pals like Mainframe, Krugar, and Charlie-27. List of Other Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 3) Cast Here are some other members of the Vol. 3 cast: Michael Rooker: Yondu Seth Green: Howard the Duck Judy Greer: War Pig Michael Rosenbaum: Martinex Daniela Melchior: Ura Jennifer Holland: Kwol Nathan Fillion: Master Karja Mikaela Hoover: Floor Asim Chaudhry: Reefs Summing It Up The exceptional Guardians of the Galaxy (Vol. 3) cast has undoubtedly created a lasting impression on viewers, old and new. With the addition of the Ravagers, Yondu’s former crewmates, the list of characters grows and more diverse. From Stakar Ogord to Howard the Duck, it will surely be an exciting journey ahead for comic book fans! We can't wait to see what comes next!