The Guardians Of The Galaxy Cast: Where Are They Now? From MCU Heroes To DCU Stars (2025 Update)

The original Guardians of the Galaxy team, a ragtag family of cosmic misfits, officially ended their run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the release of *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* in 2023. As of December 12, 2025, the focus has shifted entirely: a new team has formed under a surprising new leader, and many of the beloved original actors have followed director James Gunn to his new role as co-CEO of DC Studios, signaling a massive and unprecedented crossover of talent from the MCU to the DCU.

The journey of Peter Quill, Rocket, Gamora, Drax, Groot, Nebula, and Mantis has concluded, leaving fans curious about their individual character fates and, more importantly, the career paths of the actors who brought them to life. This article breaks down the full cast, their final MCU status, and the surprising new projects—including the highly anticipated *Superman* film—that define their careers today.

The Legendary Lineup: Full Cast Biographies and Character Fates

The core cast is responsible for one of the MCU's most successful and emotionally resonant trilogies. Here is a look at the actors, their iconic characters, a brief biographical profile, and their character's final status after *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*.

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Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord

• Biography: Born Christopher Michael Pratt on June 21, 1979, in Virginia, Minnesota. Pratt rose to fame with his comedic role as Andy Dwyer on the TV series *Parks and Recreation* before transforming into an action star for the MCU and the *Jurassic World* franchise. He is one of the world's highest-grossing actors.
• Character Fate: Peter Quill, the legendary Star-Lord, decided to step away from the cosmic life. The final post-credit scene of *Vol. 3* confirms he returned to Earth to reunite with his grandfather, Jason Quill, with the promise that "The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return."

Zoe Saldaña as Gamora

• Biography: Zoe Yadira Saldaña Nazario was born on June 19, 1978, in Passaic, New Jersey, of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent. She is known as the "Queen of Sci-Fi" for starring in three of the highest-grossing films of all time: *Avatar*, *Avengers: Endgame*, and *Avatar: The Way of Water*.
• Character Fate: The Gamora seen in *Vol. 3* is the version from 2014, who did not share the same history with Peter Quill. She chose to leave the Guardians and rejoined the Ravagers, finding a new chosen family among them. Saldaña has been vocal that she is "done" playing Gamora, suggesting her MCU chapter is closed.

Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer

• Biography: David Michael Bautista Jr. was born on January 18, 1969, in Washington, D.C. Before acting, he was a six-time World Champion professional wrestler in the WWE, known simply as "Batista." His notable non-MCU roles include Rabban in the *Dune* franchise.
• Character Fate: Drax, who discovered his true purpose was not destruction but fatherhood, chose to stay on Knowhere with Nebula to raise the children rescued from the High Evolutionary, embracing his new role as "Drax the Destroyer... of kids' boredom." Bautista has confirmed he will not return as Drax.

Karen Gillan as Nebula

• Biography: Karen Sheila Gillan was born on November 28, 1987, in Inverness, Scotland. She gained prominence as Amy Pond on the popular British series *Doctor Who* before her transformative role as Nebula. She is also a director and writer.
• Character Fate: Nebula found peace and purpose. She remains on Knowhere with Drax, taking on a leadership role to help govern the new sovereign planet for the displaced refugees. Her future in the MCU remains open, likely as a supporting character in cosmic stories.

Pom Klementieff as Mantis

• Biography: Pom Alexandra Klementieff was born on May 3, 1986, in Quebec City, Canada, of French, Korean, and Russian descent. She is known for her martial arts training and her breakout role as Mantis.
• Character Fate: Mantis, realizing she always lived for others (Ego, Peter Quill, Drax), chose to embark on a solo journey of self-discovery, accompanied by the Abilisk creatures. Klementieff's future in the MCU is uncertain, but her close relationship with James Gunn suggests other projects are possible.

Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon (Voice)

• Biography: Bradley Charles Cooper was born on January 5, 1975, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is an acclaimed actor and filmmaker, a recipient of numerous awards, and is known for films like *A Star Is Born* and *Silver Linings Playbook*.
• Character Fate: The emotional heart of *Vol. 3*, Rocket Raccoon, survives his near-death experience and is appointed the new Captain and leader of the new iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy. As a voice role, Cooper is the most likely original cast member to continue indefinitely in the MCU.

Vin Diesel as Groot (Voice)

• Biography: Mark Sinclair Vincent, known professionally as Vin Diesel, was born on July 18, 1967. He is one of the world’s highest-grossing actors, best known as Dominic Toretto in the *Fast & Furious* franchise.
• Character Fate: Groot, now a towering "Swole Groot" in his final form, remains by Rocket's side as a core member of the new Guardians of the Galaxy team. Like Rocket, his voice role makes his return in future MCU projects highly probable.

The New Guardians and the Future of the MCU's Cosmic Team

The conclusion of *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* served as a definitive changing of the guard, officially dissolving the original lineup and introducing a new team ready for future cosmic adventures in the MCU's Phase 5 and beyond. This strategic move ensures the *Guardians* franchise can continue without the original actors.

The Official New Guardians of the Galaxy Team

The post-credits scene of *Vol. 3* revealed the new roster, led by the newly matured and heroic Rocket Raccoon. This team is set to protect the cosmos and is based out of the new sovereign planet, Knowhere. The new members include a mix of established and brand-new entities:

• Rocket Raccoon (Captain): The new leader, now fully embracing his role as a hero.
• Groot: Rocket's loyal, massive companion.
• Kraglin Obfonteri (Sean Gunn): The former Ravager and Yondu’s first mate, now wielding the powerful Yaka Arrow.
• Adam Warlock (Will Poulter): The powerful, gold-skinned Sovereign being, who joined the team after his redemption arc.
• Cosmo the Spacedog (Maria Bakalova): The telepathic Soviet space dog who now resides on Knowhere.
• Phyla-Vell (Kai Zen): A young, super-powered girl rescued from the High Evolutionary, who is a major cosmic hero in Marvel Comics.

The Legacy of the High Evolutionary and Knowhere

The film's central antagonist, the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), and the setting of Knowhere are key entities shaping the team's future. The Guardians successfully defeated the High Evolutionary, saving his caged test subjects, who now form the population of Knowhere. This planet, once the severed head of a Celestial, is now the central hub of operations for the New Guardians, with Nebula and Drax acting as its protectors and co-leaders. This provides a stable base for the cosmic side of the MCU moving forward.

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From MCU to DCU: The Guardians' Surprising Next Chapter

Perhaps the most significant and freshest news surrounding the *Guardians of the Galaxy* cast is their surprising migration to the rival DC Universe (DCU). This development is a direct result of James Gunn becoming the co-CEO of DC Studios, where he is now overseeing the entire film slate, starting with the 2025 film *Superman*. This creative bond means many of the actors are now working on both sides of the superhero aisle.

The Guardians in James Gunn's *Superman* (2025)

James Gunn's first major DCU project, *Superman*, is already stacking up with familiar faces from the *Guardians* family, proving the director's loyalty to his ensemble. This is a crucial piece of current information for fans following the cast's careers:

• Sean Gunn (Kraglin/Rocket Raccoon): Sean Gunn, James’s brother and the on-set stand-in for Rocket, has been cast as the villain Maxwell Lord in *Superman*.
• Nathan Fillion (Master Karja): Fillion, who played the character Master Karja in *Vol. 3* and also appeared in Gunn's *The Suicide Squad*, will play the hero Guy Gardner / Green Lantern.
• Other Potential Cross-Overs: While not officially confirmed for *Superman*, Pom Klementieff (Mantis) has openly discussed joining James Gunn in the DCU, teasing her potential role and indicating a strong desire to continue their collaboration.

The End of an Era and the Start of a New Legacy

The original *Guardians of the Galaxy* trilogy is now recognized as a complete saga, thanks to the definitive ending provided by *Vol. 3* and *The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special*. The actors, particularly Dave Bautista and Zoe Saldaña, have been clear that their time as Drax and Gamora is finished, allowing them to pursue diverse projects like *Dune: Part Two* and the *Avatar* sequels.

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The MCU now has a new, exciting cosmic team led by Rocket Raccoon, ensuring the franchise's continuation. Meanwhile, the original cast's move to the DCU under James Gunn’s leadership is a unique and captivating narrative that makes the "Guardians Family" a powerful force across the entire superhero movie landscape.