The Epic Final Line-Up: Every Actor And Character In The Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Cast

The curtain call has arrived for the original line-up of space misfits, and as of the film's release in May 2023, the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 cast delivered an emotional, high-stakes finale that solidified their legacy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This final installment, written and directed by James Gunn, brought back every beloved core member while introducing powerful new adversaries and fan-favorite cosmic entities, making it one of the most densely packed and character-driven Marvel films to date. The story centers on a desperate mission to save one of their own, forcing the entire cast to deliver performances that are both hilarious and heartbreaking, concluding a decade-long saga with definitive closure for many of the team's founding members.

The film’s success hinges on the chemistry of its ensemble, a feat that has only deepened across three movies, a holiday special, and multiple Avengers appearances. Beyond the core heroes, the cast list for Vol. 3 is a comprehensive roster of established MCU actors and significant newcomers, all playing crucial roles in the Guardians' last stand. It’s a definitive farewell that ensures the character arcs of Peter Quill, Gamora, Drax, and especially Rocket Raccoon, receive the meaningful conclusion fans craved, cementing the film as the true end of the trilogy.

The Core Guardians: A Definitive Cast List and Character Biography

The heart of the trilogy lies with the original six misfits, each returning for one last adventure. Their journey in Vol. 3 is marked by profound personal growth and the final resolution of their individual storylines.

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• Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord: The half-human leader of the Guardians. Quill spends the film grappling with the loss of the Gamora he knew, following the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. His arc is about finding a new purpose outside of his lost love and stepping up as a true leader.
• Zoe Saldaña as Gamora: Not the "original" Gamora, but the 2014 variant who has no memory of the Guardians. Her role is a complex one, as she is a hardened Ravager who must reluctantly work with a man (Peter Quill) who claims to be in love with her, forcing her to confront her own identity and capacity for connection.
• Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer: The muscle of the team, known for his literal interpretations and comedic timing. Drax's arc in Vol. 3 shifts from a quest for revenge to finding his true calling as a caregiver, especially for the children rescued from the High Evolutionary.
• Karen Gillan as Nebula: The cybernetically enhanced daughter of Thanos and Gamora’s sister. Nebula’s character completes her transformation from villain to hero, acting as a crucial, compassionate, and tactical member of the team, embracing her new family.
• Pom Klementieff as Mantis: The empath who can sense and manipulate emotions. Her journey in the final film is about self-discovery, separating herself from Drax and the rest of the team to find her own path in the universe.
• Vin Diesel as Groot (Voice): The sentient tree-like humanoid. In Vol. 3, Groot appears significantly larger and more powerful than before, showcasing his ability to grow and protect his friends in crucial moments.
• Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon (Voice): The genetically and cybernetically enhanced raccoon. Rocket is the emotional core of the film, with his tragic origin story driving the entire plot. His character arc is the most complete, finally gaining a sense of peace and a true name.
• Sean Gunn as Kraglin Obfonteri: Yondu’s former first mate, who now serves as a Guardian and wields Yondu's powerful Yaka Arrow. Sean Gunn also provides the motion-capture for Rocket Raccoon.

The Newcomers: Villains, Allies, and Cosmic Powerhouses

A key aspect of Vol. 3’s narrative depth is the introduction of characters who were either long-teased in the MCU or who serve as the direct cause of Rocket's trauma.

Chukwudi Iwuji as The High Evolutionary

The primary antagonist of the film, The High Evolutionary is a brilliant, ruthless, and narcissistic scientist obsessed with creating a perfect society ("Counter-Earth"). He is directly responsible for the horrific genetic and cybernetic modifications that created Rocket Raccoon, making him the most personal villain the Guardians have ever faced. Chukwudi Iwuji's intense portrayal captures the character's megalomania and cruelty, making him a truly unsettling presence.

Will Poulter as Adam Warlock

Adam Warlock is a powerful, golden-skinned artificial being created by the Sovereign leader Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He is unleashed prematurely by his creator to destroy the Guardians. Poulter plays the character as a physically imposing but emotionally and intellectually immature being, whose arc sees him evolve from a weapon to a potential hero by the film's conclusion.

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Maria Bakalova as Cosmo the Spacedog (Voice)

Cosmo, a fan-favorite from the comics, makes a significant return after her cameo in the first film. Voiced by Maria Bakalova, Cosmo is a sentient, telekinetic Russian space dog who is now a full-fledged member of the Guardians team and a resident of Knowhere. Her powers and playful dynamic with the other Guardians add much-needed levity and power.

The Emotional Core: Rocket’s Backstory and the Supporting Cast

The true emotional weight of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 rests on Rocket Raccoon’s origin story. This narrative choice required a specific set of supporting actors to bring his tragic past to life, enriching the film’s topical authority on themes of animal testing, friendship, and identity.

Rocket’s Original Family (The Benchmarks)

These characters are Rocket’s first friends, fellow victims of the High Evolutionary's experiments, and the emotional anchor for his entire story. They are essential entities in understanding Rocket's character:

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• Lylla the Otter (Voice by Linda Cardellini): Rocket’s soulmate and dearest friend, a genetically modified otter.
• Teefs the Walrus (Voice by Asim Chaudhry): A gentle, modified walrus with cybernetic wheels.
• Floor the Rabbit (Voice by Mikaela Hoover): A modified rabbit with spider-like metal legs and a metal face mask.

The exploration of Rocket's trauma and his connection to Lylla, Teefs, and Floor is the most critically acclaimed part of the movie, providing a deep, dark counterpoint to the usual MCU humor.

Returning Cosmic Allies and Foes

Several established MCU characters return to tie up loose ends and provide support for the final mission. These cameos and minor roles are vital for the larger cosmic landscape:

• Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha: The vengeful Golden High Priestess of the Sovereign, who created Adam Warlock to destroy the Guardians. Her story arc comes to a definitive close in this film.
• Sylvester Stallone as Stakar Ogord: The leader of a faction of Ravagers and a former partner of Yondu. His presence provides the Guardians with much-needed assistance and reinforces the theme of found family among the Ravagers.
• Michael Rosenbaum as Martinex (Voice): A member of Stakar Ogord's Ravager team.
• Tara Strong as Mainframe (Voice): The artificial intelligence of Stakar Ogord's ship.

The End of an Era: James Gunn’s Finality and Future Casts

Director James Gunn, who wrote and directed all three films, has repeatedly confirmed that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the final chapter for this iteration of the team. This sense of finality permeates the film, allowing for genuine character conclusions that are rare in the ongoing MCU. The cast's emotional performances are a direct reflection of this definitive farewell, knowing they were concluding a major chapter in their careers.

The film doesn't just end the story; it reconfigures the team for the future. The final moments of the movie introduce a new Guardians line-up, ensuring the legacy of the name continues. This new team, led by Rocket Raccoon, includes Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo the Spacedog, Adam Warlock, and Phyla-Vell (a young girl rescued from the High Evolutionary, played by Kai Zen). This clever shift allows the core cast members like Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, and Zoe Saldaña to step away, while keeping the door open for the new generation of Guardians to appear in future MCU projects.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 cast delivered a powerful and emotionally resonant conclusion to one of the MCU's most beloved trilogies. By focusing on Rocket's origin and giving each character a meaningful send-off, the film not only provided a satisfying finale but also set a new standard for character-driven superhero epics. It is a testament to the entire ensemble's commitment to their roles, ensuring that the final line-up of space heroes will be remembered for years to come.