The Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Cast: A Complete Guide To Every Star And Their Emotional Final Arc

The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 cast delivered one of the most emotional and critically acclaimed finales in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to date. Released in May 2023, the film served as the final chapter of director James Gunn's beloved trilogy, bringing back the core team for a high-stakes mission centered on the tragic past of Rocket Raccoon. The ensemble, featuring a mix of Hollywood veterans and rising stars, navigated a story filled with humor, heartbreak, and spectacular action, solidifying the film's status as a commercial and critical success, grossing over $845.6 million globally.

This definitive guide provides an in-depth look at every major actor and character in Vol. 3, including biographical highlights of the main stars, the pivotal new additions, and the supporting cast who helped conclude the space-faring saga. From the return of Star-Lord to the introduction of the powerful Adam Warlock, the film's roster is a powerhouse of talent that gave fans a deeply satisfying conclusion to the Guardians' journey.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Main Cast Biographies and Notable Roles

The core of the trilogy rests on the shoulders of its leading actors, each of whom brought a unique blend of comedy and drama to their iconic Marvel roles. Here is a brief look at the stars behind the legendary misfits:

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Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord

• Born: June 21, 1979 (Virginia, Minnesota)
• Career Highlight: Pratt gained widespread fame for his role as the lovable slacker Andy Dwyer on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation.
• Notable Works: He cemented his status as a leading man in blockbuster franchises, starring in Jurassic World and voicing the title character in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
• The Role: As the half-human leader of the Guardians, his arc in Vol. 3 focuses on grappling with the loss of Gamora and ultimately finding his place back on Earth.

Zoe Saldaña as Gamora

• Born: June 19, 1978 (Passaic, New Jersey)
• Career Highlight: Saldaña is one of the few actors to star in three of the highest-grossing films of all time: Avatar, Avengers: Endgame, and Avatar: The Way of Water.
• Notable Works: She began her career in film with Center Stage (2000) and achieved early recognition in the sci-fi genre with her role as Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek reboot series.
• The Role: In Vol. 3, she plays the alternate-timeline version of Gamora, who has no memory of the original Guardians, forcing her to confront her sister Nebula and a new identity.

Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer

• Born: January 18, 1969 (Washington, D.C.)
• Career Highlight: Before acting, Bautista was a six-time World Champion professional wrestler in WWE, known simply as "Batista."
• Notable Works: He successfully transitioned to a film career with roles in major films like Blade Runner 2049, Dune, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
• The Role: Vol. 3 marks Bautista's final appearance as Drax, concluding a character arc that saw the Destroyer evolve from a purely vengeful warrior to a doting father figure to the young girl Phyla-Vell.

The Full Roster: Returning Guardians and Key Allies

The final mission required the full might of the original team and their extended family. The chemistry among these actors is a cornerstone of the entire trilogy's success.

• Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon (Voice): The emotional heart of the film, Rocket's origin story is the driving force behind the plot. Cooper's voice performance, along with the physical acting of Sean Gunn, brought a tragic depth to the genetically-modified raccoon.
• Vin Diesel as Groot (Voice): The fan-favorite sentient tree, who has grown from a sapling to a powerful, fully-grown Guardian.
• Karen Gillan as Nebula: Gamora's cybernetically-enhanced sister. Her arc reaches a satisfying conclusion as she steps into a leadership role and fully embraces her family.
• Pom Klementieff as Mantis: The empath who discovers her true connection to Star-Lord. Her humor and compassion were vital to the team's dynamics.
• Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri: James Gunn's brother and a long-time Ravager who finally masters the use of Yondu's Yaka Arrow, a major moment for the character.
• Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha: The Golden High Priestess of the Sovereign, returning with a vendetta against the Guardians.

New Cast Members and the Tragic Origin of Rocket

Vol. 3 introduced several new, pivotal characters that tied directly into the film’s central conflict involving the High Evolutionary and Rocket Raccoon's painful past. These additions were crucial for providing topical authority to the film's deeper themes of animal rights and genetic experimentation.

Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary

The primary antagonist of the film, The High Evolutionary is a brilliant, yet maniacal, scientist obsessed with creating a perfect society. Nigerian-British actor Chukwudi Iwuji, who previously worked with James Gunn on Peacemaker, delivers a chilling performance as the villain responsible for the cruel genetic modification of Rocket.

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Will Poulter as Adam Warlock

Teased in the post-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Adam Warlock is an artificial, all-powerful being created by the Sovereign to destroy the Guardians. British actor Will Poulter (known for The Maze Runner and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch) portrays the character with a blend of immense power and childlike naivety, hinting at a larger role in the future of the MCU.

The Voices Behind Rocket's Friends: Lylla, Teefs, and Floor

The most emotionally impactful additions to the cast were the voices for Rocket’s childhood friends, fellow test subjects of the High Evolutionary on Counter-Earth. These characters are central to the film's tragic backstory, providing a raw look at Rocket's trauma.

• Lylla the Otter: Voiced by Linda Cardellini (known for Freaks and Geeks and Dead to Me). Lylla was Rocket’s closest confidante and soulmate.
• Teefs the Walrus: Voiced by Asim Chaudhry.
• Floor the Rabbit: Voiced by Mikaela Hoover.

The Emotional Conclusion and Future of the Guardians Franchise

The film was widely praised by critics and audiences alike for its emotional depth, with many calling it a satisfactory and heartfelt conclusion to the trilogy. The movie's focus on Rocket Raccoon's origin story and the team's final mission to save him provided a powerful narrative arc that resonated with fans, showcasing the true meaning of family.

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The ending of Vol. 3 saw the original team disband, with each member finding a new path. Drax retires to raise the children of Knowhere, Mantis embarks on a journey of self-discovery, and Peter Quill returns to Earth. However, the film's two post-credits scenes set up a new era, confirming that "The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return" and introducing a new iteration of the team: The New Guardians of the Galaxy. This new lineup includes Rocket Raccoon as the new captain, Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo the Spacedog, Adam Warlock, and the young Phyla-Vell, ensuring the legacy of the Guardians continues in the MCU.