The New Guardians Of The Galaxy Cast: Who’s In And Who’s Out For The MCU’s Cosmic Future

The cosmic journey of the Guardians of the Galaxy has reached a definitive conclusion, but the cast’s legacy and future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and beyond remain a major topic of discussion as of December 2025. The emotional finale of *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* saw the original team disband, paving the way for a fresh, new lineup of cosmic protectors, while several fan-favorite actors have confirmed their departure from their iconic roles. This deep dive explores the full ensemble cast, the exciting new roster, and the latest updates on where your favorite stars are heading next. The most current buzz centers on the official passing of the torch and the surprising crossover of several *Guardians* actors into James Gunn’s new DC Universe. With the original trilogy director now helming DC Studios, the future of the remaining MCU characters and the actors who play them is constantly evolving, making this one of the most dynamic ensembles in Hollywood history.

The Original Guardians: Full Cast & Where They Stand Now

The core cast of the *Guardians of the Galaxy* trilogy delivered one of the most beloved and cohesive ensembles in superhero cinema. While their time as a unit is over, their individual stories have set up fascinating future possibilities.

• Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord: The self-proclaimed leader of the Guardians, Pratt's Star-Lord is the only member confirmed to return with the tag "The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return" at the end of *Vol. 3*. His biography includes major roles in *Jurassic World* and *Parks and Recreation*.
• Zoe Saldaña as Gamora: The "deadliest woman in the galaxy." Saldaña has been vocal about her emotional goodbye to the character, and the 2014 version of Gamora (from *Avengers: Endgame*) is now traveling with the Ravagers. Saldaña is also known for her major roles in the *Avatar* and *Star Trek* franchises.
• Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer: The muscle with a heart of gold. Bautista has definitively stated that *Vol. 3* was his final appearance as Drax, citing the physical demands and a desire to pursue more dramatic acting roles. He is a former professional wrestler known as Batista.
• Karen Gillan as Nebula: The cybernetic sister who found her family. Nebula remains on Knowhere, serving as a co-leader of the new team. Gillan is also famous for her role as Amy Pond in *Doctor Who* and Ruby Roundhouse in the *Jumanji* films.
• Pom Klementieff as Mantis: The empathetic antenna-head. Mantis embarked on a journey of self-discovery at the end of *Vol. 3*. Klementieff is one of the actors rumored to potentially reprise her role in a future MCU project, or even a spin-off, and is also known for her role in the *Mission: Impossible* franchise.
• Vin Diesel as Groot (Voice): The sentient tree-like humanoid. Groot has evolved from "I am Groot" to a more mature, hulking form. Diesel is primarily known for the *Fast & Furious* franchise.
• Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon (Voice): The genetically enhanced raccoon and new leader. Cooper's voice work is critical, and Rocket is now the undisputed head of the new team. Cooper is an acclaimed actor and director, notably for *A Star Is Born*.

The New Guardians: The Official Roster for the MCU's Next Era

The mid-credits scene of *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* officially unveiled the next iteration of the team, led by Rocket Raccoon. This new lineup is crucial for the MCU's future cosmic storylines, introducing several key entities and powerful characters.

The Confirmed New Team Members and Their Actors

The new team is a mix of veteran characters taking on bigger roles and exciting new additions, guaranteeing a fresh dynamic for any potential *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4* or other cosmic appearances.

• Rocket Raccoon (Leader): Voiced by Bradley Cooper, with Sean Gunn providing the on-set motion capture.
• Groot: Voiced by Vin Diesel.
• Kraglin Obfonteri: Played by Sean Gunn. Kraglin, the former Ravager and Yondu's first mate, has officially taken his place as a full Guardian, now wielding the powerful Yaka Arrow.
• Cosmo the Spacedog: Voiced by Maria Bakalova. Cosmo, the telepathic Soviet space dog, was a major fan-favorite addition to the team, having previously been seen in the Collector's museum. Bakalova is an Oscar-nominated actress known for *Borat Subsequent Moviefilm*.
• Adam Warlock: Played by Will Poulter. The golden Sovereign being, originally created to destroy the Guardians, is now a powerful, albeit naive, member of the team. Poulter is known for his roles in *The Maze Runner* and *Black Mirror: Bandersnatch*.
• Phyla-Vell: Played by Kai Zen. This young girl, one of the children rescued from the High Evolutionary, is a powerful new entity in the MCU. In the comics, Phyla-Vell is a cosmic hero who takes on the mantle of Quasar.

Behind the Scenes: Supporting Cast and The James Gunn Crossover

Topical authority on the *Guardians* cast isn't complete without acknowledging the key supporting players and the latest, most surprising development: the movement of actors from the MCU to the DC Universe under director James Gunn.

Key Supporting Cast and Villains

The *Guardians* films are famous for their deep bench of colorful supporting characters and memorable villains. These entities are essential to the saga's success:

• The High Evolutionary: Played by Chukwudi Iwuji. The main antagonist of *Vol. 3*, a brilliant and sadistic scientist obsessed with creating a perfect society. Iwuji also starred in Gunn’s *Peacemaker* series.
• Stakar Ogord: Played by Sylvester Stallone. The leader of a faction of Ravagers, Stallone's presence adds Hollywood star power and expands the cosmic lore.
• Ayesha: Played by Elizabeth Debicki. The golden High Priestess of the Sovereign who created Adam Warlock. Debicki is also known for her role as Princess Diana in *The Crown*.
• The Ravagers: Key members include Michael Rooker as Yondu Udonta (deceased but influential), Ving Rhames as Charlie-27, and Michelle Yeoh as Aleta Ogord.

The Latest Crossover News: Guardians Actors in DC’s 'Superman' (2025/2026)

The most recent and compelling news about the *Guardians* ensemble is their surprising migration to the DC Universe, led by their former director, James Gunn. As of late 2025, several key actors have been confirmed for roles in the upcoming DC film *Superman*. This is a massive development that showcases the strong creative bond between Gunn and his collaborators. Actors from the *Guardians* family confirmed or heavily rumored to appear in the new DC projects include:

• Sean Gunn: Not only is he Kraglin, but he is confirmed to be playing the DC character Maxwell Lord in *Superman*.
• Pom Klementieff: The Mantis actress is confirmed for a role, though the specific character remains a tightly guarded secret.
• Michael Rooker: The Yondu actor is a long-time Gunn collaborator and is also rumored for a DC role.
• Mikaela Hoover: Known for playing Floor (Rocket's friend) in *Vol. 3*, she is also confirmed to be in *Superman*.

This unprecedented move of multiple actors crossing over from the MCU to a major DC film under the same director highlights the end of an era for the MCU team and the beginning of a new one for these talented performers.

What's Next for the Guardians of the Galaxy Cast?

While the original trilogy is complete, the individual actors are moving on to a variety of high-profile projects. Peter Quill’s story is explicitly promised to continue, suggesting a potential solo adventure or an appearance in a future major MCU crossover event like the rumored *Avengers: Secret Wars*. Chris Pratt's return as Star-Lord is the MCU's main anchor for the cosmic side of the universe. The "New Guardians" team, led by Rocket, is poised to take on the mantle. With powerhouses like Adam Warlock and the cosmic entity Phyla-Vell now in the lineup, any future project—whether it’s a Disney+ series, a *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4* (even with a new director), or a team-up with other cosmic heroes—will focus heavily on this new, diverse cast. The presence of Nebula and Kraglin provides a necessary link to the original team, ensuring the heart and humor of the franchise remain intact, even as the cast evolves and the actors move on to their next legendary chapters.