The Definitive Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Cast: Who Returned, Who Left, And The Surprise New MCU Stars

The curtain call for one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most beloved teams, the Guardians of the Galaxy, arrived with the highly anticipated *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* in 2023. This final chapter of the James Gunn-directed trilogy was not just a blockbuster spectacle; it was an incredibly emotional send-off that demanded the best from its ensemble cast, bringing back every familiar face while introducing some of the most significant and powerful new characters in the MCU’s cosmic saga.

The film’s success hinged entirely on the chemistry of its core players and the dramatic weight of its new antagonists. As of today, December 10, 2025, the legacy of this cast remains a focal point for fans, especially given the bittersweet nature of the ending, which saw the original team disband. Here is the definitive, complete breakdown of the cast, the characters they played, and the lasting impact they had on the MCU.

The Core Guardians: An Emotional Final Lineup

The original crew, a found family of misfits, returned for one last mission centered on saving Rocket’s life. This film served as a powerful farewell for many of these actors in their iconic roles, with several confirming their departure from the franchise following the trilogy’s conclusion. The emotional weight of the story—particularly the focus on Rocket Raccoon's tragic backstory—allowed each actor to deliver some of their most poignant performances in the MCU.

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• Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord: The leader of the Guardians, still reeling from the loss of his Gamora (the one he knew) and forced to confront the harsh reality of the new, alternate-timeline Gamora.
• Zoe Saldaña as Gamora: Not the Gamora who fell in *Infinity War*, but a variant from 2014 who never joined the Guardians. She is a Raider, tougher and more distant, forcing a complex dynamic with Peter Quill.
• Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer: The muscle with a heart, Drax’s story arc concluded with him finding a new purpose on Knowhere, stepping away from the role of a Destroyer to become a caregiver.
• Karen Gillan as Nebula: Evolving from a vengeful villain to a core Guardian, Nebula’s journey of healing and leadership was a highlight, culminating in her taking on a new leadership role.
• Pom Klementieff as Mantis: The empath whose emotional journey saw her finally step out from under Drax's shadow to discover her own path and identity.
• Vin Diesel as Groot: The sentient tree-like humanoid, now a much larger, more powerful "Swole Groot," who continues to be the team’s loyal protector.
• Bradley Cooper as Rocket: The heart of the film. His life-or-death struggle drives the plot, and his backstory, featuring the tragic tale of Lylla, Floor, and Teefs, is the emotional core of the entire trilogy.
• Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri: Yondu’s former first mate, now wielding the powerful Yaka Arrow and fully integrated into the team, providing comic relief and essential support.

New Faces and Powerful MCU Debuts: Adam Warlock and The High Evolutionary

The final chapter of the trilogy introduced two major, highly-anticipated comic book characters whose roles were pivotal to the plot, significantly expanding the cosmic side of the MCU. These additions brought a new level of threat and complexity to the narrative, particularly as they related to Rocket's origins.

Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary

The main antagonist of *Vol. 3* is one of the most ruthless and terrifying villains in the MCU, a stark departure from the more comedic villains of previous *Guardians* films.

• Character Profile: The High Evolutionary is a brilliant but maniacal scientist obsessed with creating a "perfect society" through forced and often brutal evolution. He is revealed to be the creator and tormentor of Rocket Raccoon.
• Actor’s Impact: Chukwudi Iwuji, a Nigerian-British actor with an extensive background in theater, delivered a chilling performance. Director James Gunn praised Iwuji’s ability to portray a character who is both grandly theatrical and deeply cruel.
• Behind the Scenes: Iwuji had previously worked with Gunn on the *Peacemaker* series, making his casting a seamless transition into the director's MCU farewell. His portrayal of the character was lauded for its sheer intensity.

Will Poulter as Adam Warlock

Adam Warlock’s appearance was first teased in the post-credits scene of *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*, making his full debut a moment fans had been waiting for over six years.

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• Character Profile: Warlock is a genetically engineered, perfect being created by the Sovereign leader Ayesha to destroy the Guardians. His journey in the film is one of a powerful infant, slowly learning morality and purpose.
• Actor’s Preparation: Will Poulter, known for roles in *The Maze Runner* and *Black Mirror: Bandersnatch*, underwent a dramatic physical transformation to embody the "physical specimen" of Adam Warlock, involving an intense, months-long training and diet regimen.
• Future Role: By the film’s conclusion, Adam Warlock is no longer an antagonist but a potential hero, joining the new iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy, suggesting a significant future for the character in the MCU.

The Surprising Return of Cosmo the Spacedog and Other Key Entities

Beyond the main team and the primary villains, *Vol. 3* rounded out its cast with several fan-favorite returns and new voices, adding essential depth and world-building to the final adventure.

• Maria Bakalova as Cosmo the Spacedog: While Cosmo had a brief, non-speaking appearance in the first film and *The Holiday Special*, *Vol. 3* gave the telepathic Soviet space dog a major role.
  • The Voice Behind the Dog: Maria Bakalova, the Bulgarian actress who rose to fame in *Borat Subsequent Moviefilm*, provided the voice for the 100% CG character, giving Cosmo a distinct personality and a heavy Russian accent.
• Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord: The Ravager leader and former ally of Yondu, Stallone’s character returned to lead the rest of the Ravager crew, including characters played by Ving Rhames (Charlie-27), Michelle Yeoh (Aleta Ogord), and Michael Rosenbaum (Martinex).
• Linda Cardellini as Lylla: The voice of Lylla, the otter who was Rocket's soulmate and companion in the High Evolutionary’s cages. Her tragic story is central to Rocket's motivation.
• Asim Chaudhry and Mikaela Hoover: They provided the voices for Teefs the Walrus and Floor the Rabbit, Rocket’s other heartbreakingly innocent companions, whose fates cemented the villainy of the High Evolutionary.

The Emotional Legacy: Why the Cast Cried on Set

The finality of *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* was palpable, both on-screen and off. The cast repeatedly spoke about the emotional experience of filming the final scenes, knowing they were concluding a decade-long journey together. This collective experience of saying goodbye is what makes the film's cast and their performances so unique and powerful, giving the film a genuine "ending-of-an-era" feel.

Karen Gillan (Nebula) revealed that a specific scene in the final minutes of the movie caused everyone on set—the cast and crew—to be crying, emphasizing the profound sense of closure and sadness that came with the end of the James Gunn trilogy. This raw, authentic emotion translated directly into the film’s final moments, ensuring that the farewell to this version of the Guardians felt earned and deeply moving for the audience. The genuine bond between the actors, forged over three films, a holiday special, and two *Avengers* movies, is what truly defines the *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* cast and their enduring legacy in the MCU.

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