Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the final film directed by James Gunn in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Guardians of the Galaxy have made a comeback this year after spending several years on the MCU sidelines. They first teamed up with the God of Thunder for Thor: Love and Thunder before starring in Disney+’s joyful and touching holiday special.
The Guardians of the Galaxy holiday special was the team’s sixth MCU appearance in eight years, but alas, all good things must come to an end, and Vol. 3 in May 2023 will mark the “emotional” conclusion of their story.
When James Gunn released Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, it shocked the world and made audiences care deeply about a talking raccoon and an alien henchman tree who has since gained notoriety. Now that the conclusion of this group of Guardians’ stories is just around the corner, fans are getting ready to cry.
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Main Cast of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
1. Chris Pratt – Star-Lord
Chris Pratt, who previously played the title character Star-Lord as Peter Quill, is back as the face of the franchise.
Quill still needs some cheering up in Gamora’s absence even after The Holiday Special, though his musical adventures with Kevin Bacon and learning that Mantis is his secret sister will have undoubtedly helped.
Peter Quill is a candidate for one of those renowned emotional James Gunn deaths since this is reportedly the last time fans will see THIS Guardians team together.
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2. Zoe Saldaña – Gamora
With The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Avatar: The Way of Water both coming out roughly 5 months apart, Zoe Saldana is expected to have a busy few months.
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Gamora has emerged as the most intriguing character on this list following her unexpectedly crucial role in Avengers: Infinity War & Endgame. Since this version of Gamora never properly met the Guardians and developed her strong familial bond with the group, she lacks the experiences of her previous self.
That means there will be no friendship with Peter Quill and no reconciliation with Nebula as a sister (other than the abridged version seen in Endgame).
For all intents and purposes, one of the Guardians’ most significant characters is starting over. Expect plenty of happy tears when that relationship is eventually rebuilt, especially with Quill.
3. Bradley Cooper – Rocket
For Vol. 3, Bradley Cooper reprises his vocal abilities in the role of Rocket Racoon, which is his most significant role to date. From bounty hunter to Guardian of the Galaxy to Avenger, Rocket has experienced a lot in his MCU career.
It’s expected that Rocket will take center stage in this film. The inclusion of The High Evolutionary suggests that his backstory, which has only been hinted at, will be expanded, especially in light of the trailer’s adorable Baby Rocket.
Because the colors of Rocket’s fur and suit match those of the Guardians of the Galaxy logo, he is also the front-runner for the “logo theory” of the group. Characters that resemble these movies’ color schemes have previously experienced emotional demises in the third act: Groot in Vol. 1 and Yondu in Vol. 2.
4. Dave Bautista – Drax
Another Guardian whose backstory has been hinted at but never fully explained is Dave Bautista, who is back in the role of Drax.
Drax received his due in the holiday-themed Guardians of the Galaxy episode, which he shared with Mantis. As his story comes to an end, let’s hope that their dynamic will flourish in Vol. 3 just as it did in the Disney+ special.
5. Pom Klementieff – Mantis
Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff, is the only team member absent from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1.
Mantis has been a fantastic comedic asset for James Gunn to use as the ideal partner for Drax’s dry humor and ignorance. The funniest characters in the MCU typically don’t crack jokes. Simply put, they are being who they are. A good illustration of that is the mantis.
As she and Drax undertook a Kevin Bacon extraction mission to Earth in the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Klementieff had more chances than ever to embrace that. As Peter Quill’s sister, Mantis will undoubtedly spend a lot more time with Pratt’s MCU hero in Vol. 3.
6. Vin Diesel – Groot
The adorable prince from the Marvel Cinematic Universe has returned and grown even more. Vin Diesel makes a comeback as Groot in his last Swole guise. Groot the Second has been a constant presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the shocking passing of Groot the First in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1.
The MCU will get the closest to Pokémon with Baby Groot, Teenage Groot, and now Swole Groot, and fans are excited about it. Despite speaking only four words total during his time in the MCU, Groot is poised for ANOTHER scene-stealing performance in Volume 3.
7. Karen Gillan – Nebula
Nebula, played by Karen Gillan, is one of the MCU’s most intriguing characters and has one of the list’s most captivating storylines.
Beginning as a henchwoman villain in volume one, changing to a reluctant team member in volume two, and eventually becoming an Avenger and playing a crucial role in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
As evidenced by her hilarious Christmas gift to Rocket, Gillan has teased that Nebula’s time spent with Tony Stark, The Avengers, and James Rhodes has softened her stern and obstinate personality.
8. Sean Gunn – Kraglin
The leader of the Ravagers, Kraglin, is the second appearance of the mocap king in the MCU.
Sean Gunn, the brother of the film’s director James Gunn, doubles as Rocket Racoon’s mocap actor and Kraglin for every guardian of the Galaxy movie. Kraglin has experienced some surprisingly emotional moments in the franchise despite serving primarily as a supporting character for Quill and Yondu.
Fans are eager to see if Kraglin has improved his arrow whistling abilities to bring back one of the best weapons in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while wearing the redfin atop his head.
9. Will Poulter – Adam Warlock
Will Poulter will make his acting debut as Adam Warlock in one of the final post-credit scenes from The Infinity Saga that has yet to be resolved. The Vol. 3 trailers unveiled his stunning MCU design.
Most people are familiar with Poulter from his comedic and dramatic work in We Are The Millers. Poulter has now been cast as what many in the Marvel Universe refer to as the ideal specimen after a Micky Mouse workout and a traditional Hollywood glow-up.
This character has so many potential storylines that could be explored. His brief post-credits introduction and the creation of The Eternals have an uncanny resemblance. He is a Sovereign creation made to defeat the Guardians. So be on the lookout for that.
10. Chukwudi Iwuji – The High Evolutionary
The movie’s antagonist, the DC/Gunn crossover, and the movie’s tone-setter are Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary.
According to the comics, the High Evolutionary will be in charge of performing cruel and unusual tests on creatures throughout the universe, Rocket Racoon included. Due to this and Quill’s pursuit of Gamora, Rocket is the favorite to be the focal point of the story.
This character has been described as “sociopathic,” “narcissistic,” and “very charming,” among other things. James Gunn can get in his bag with characters like this, and Iwuji is the ideal setting for this character.
11. Maria Bakalova – Cosmo
Cosmo the Spacedog made her MCU speaking debut in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special after making only a fleeting appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy, before presumably playing a larger role in Vol. 3.
Rocket Racoon and the Russian astronaut, voiced by Maria Bakalova, will undoubtedly be a plot pairing. After the release of The High Evolutionary, Cosmo is likely to offer more exploration and win over fans.
12. Lylla
Rocket’s otter love interest Lylla made an appearance in the Vol. 3 debut trailer, confirming her role in the MCU threequel—presumably as yet another creation of the High Evolutionary—despite the fact that the voice actor behind the character has not yet been made public.
There have been rumors that Lady Gaga will play Lylla, reuniting her with Bradley Cooper, who plays Rocket, for their first collaboration since A Star Is Born.
13. Elizabeth Debicki – Ayesha
As the Sovereign leader of Ayesha, Elizabeth Debicki reprises her role from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Ayesha will probably introduce Adam Warlock and help viewers understand the stakes associated with this character. Ayesha is a significant supporting character in the MCU that fans will be happy to see again. Her appearance in this film is appreciated.
14. Sylvester Stallone – Stakar
One of the most famous names in Hollywood history made a brief debut in Volume 2, and Volume 3 is anticipated to feature them more prominently. Returning as the original Ravager Stakar is Sylvester Stallone.
The role Stakar plays in Volume 3 will determine how much the Ravagers are involved. It appeared that the Ravager’s part in the story had ended after Yondu’s passing, but keep an eye out for Sly to keep the space pirates relevant.
15. Michael Rosenbaum – Martinex
Micahel Rosenbaum, a living legend of contemporary live-action comic book projects, will make a cameo appearance as Martinex, another original Ravager.
He’ll probably stick by Stakar’s side and serve as a supporting character in whatever his story may entail.
16. Daniela Melchior
Daniela Melchior will be making her MCU debut in Vol. 3, continuing the director’s well-known theme of working with close friends. She previously worked with James Gunn on The Suicide Squad.
Only that the role is not Moondragon has been confirmed for the Ratcatcher II actor to play. Many people believed she provided Lylla’s voice, but a picture of her wearing prosthetic makeup suggests a live-action role.
17. Nico Santos
Nico Santos, who starred in Crazy Rich Asians and Superstore, will also be making his franchise debut in an unspecified role, though his background strongly suggests that he will play a comedic role.
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