The Cosmic Next Chapter: 10 Guardians Of The Galaxy Actors And Their Explosive New Roles In 2025

The Guardians of the Galaxy cast captivated audiences for over a decade, culminating in the emotional conclusion of their trilogy with *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*. Since the final film, the ensemble of actors has dispersed across Hollywood, taking on blockbuster roles, leading new franchises, and even making the jump to the rival DC Universe (DCU). This is the definitive, up-to-date look at what the core cast of the beloved Marvel space opera is doing right now in December 2025, confirming their next major projects and addressing the future of their iconic characters.

The transition for many of these stars, including Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista, marks a significant career shift, moving beyond their MCU personas to tackle new challenges in film and television. Their collective slate of upcoming projects for 2025 and 2026 is a testament to their enduring star power and versatility in the post-Guardians era.

The Complete Guardians of the Galaxy Core Cast & Current Status

The main ensemble of the *Guardians of the Galaxy* trilogy has been a powerhouse of talent, featuring a mix of on-screen and voice actors. Here is a look at the essential cast members and their current professional profiles.

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• Chris Pratt (Peter Quill / Star-Lord):
  • Current Status: Lead in major action/thriller TV and film projects; continuing voice work.
  • Notable Upcoming Projects: *The Terminal List: Dark Wolf* (2025), *Mercy* (2025/2026).
• Zoe Saldana (Gamora):
  • Current Status: Lead in one of the biggest film franchises globally, balancing sci-fi and animation.
  • Notable Upcoming Projects: *Avatar: Fire and Ash* (2025), *Elio* (2025).
• Dave Bautista (Drax the Destroyer):
  • Current Status: Officially retired from the Drax role; focusing on dramatic and villainous roles; Academy Class of 2025 inductee.
  • Notable Career Shift: Expressed desire for a "deeper" and "bigger" new superhero or ominous villain role.
• Vin Diesel (Groot - Voice):
  • Current Status: Continuing to anchor his major action franchise.
  • Notable Upcoming Projects: *Fast X Part 2* (2025).
• Bradley Cooper (Rocket Raccoon - Voice):
  • Current Status: Highly acclaimed director/actor, with a surprise role in James Gunn’s new universe.
  • Notable Upcoming Projects: *Is This Thing On?* (2025), surprise role in *Superman* (2025).
• Karen Gillan (Nebula):
  • Current Status: Active in independent film and fantasy dramas.
  • Notable Upcoming Projects: *The Life of Chuck*.
• Pom Klementieff (Mantis):
  • Current Status: Major role in a competing spy-thriller franchise.
  • Notable Upcoming Projects: *Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning* (2025).
• Sean Gunn (Kraglin Obfonteri / Young Rocket - Voice):
  • Current Status: Following his brother, James Gunn, to a major DCU role.
  • Notable Upcoming Projects: Maxwell Lord in *Superman* (2025).
• Maria Bakalova (Cosmo the Spacedog - Voice):
  • Current Status: Starring in several new genre films.
  • Notable Upcoming Projects: *ELECTRA* (2025), *Fairyland* (2025), *Mayday*.
• Will Poulter (Adam Warlock):
  • Current Status: Continuing a diverse career in film and television.
  • Notable Status: His character, Adam Warlock, is a key member of the new Guardians team.

The Post-MCU Trajectory: Star-Lord, Gamora, and Drax Forge New Paths

The emotional farewell of the original team in *Vol. 3* has led to fascinating career developments for its biggest stars. The trio of Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista have made very distinct choices about their professional futures, signaling a definitive end to their time as the core Guardians.

Chris Pratt's Action-Packed Future: From Star-Lord to Super-Spy

Chris Pratt, who spent a decade as the lovable rogue Peter Quill/Star-Lord, is doubling down on his action-hero status. In 2025, fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter of his Amazon Prime Video series, *The Terminal List*, with the upcoming installment titled 'The Terminal List: Dark Wolf'. This role as Navy SEAL James Reece is a grittier, more grounded take on the action genre compared to the cosmic comedy of Star-Lord, showcasing his range as a dramatic lead.

Beyond television, Pratt is set to star in the sci-fi thriller *Mercy*, slated for a 2025 or 2026 release. This high-stakes project positions him firmly in the blockbuster space, ensuring his presence remains strong on the big screen. While Peter Quill’s story ended with a title card promising his return, Pratt’s current focus on non-Marvel projects suggests his MCU appearances will be selective, allowing him to explore new dramatic territory.

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Zoe Saldana and the Unstoppable Avatar Saga

Zoe Saldana’s future is intrinsically linked to another colossal sci-fi franchise: James Cameron's *Avatar*. As Gamora, she played the adopted daughter of Thanos, but as Neytiri, she is one of the central figures of the *Avatar* universe. Her 2025 calendar is dominated by the highly anticipated release of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash', the third installment in the series. This commitment to the Na'vi warrior solidifies her status as Hollywood's most successful sci-fi actress, starring in two of the highest-grossing film series of all time.

Saldana is also lending her voice to the Pixar animated feature *Elio* in 2025, playing the character Olga Solis. This move highlights her versatility, transitioning from a serious, motion-captured role to a family-friendly animated adventure, a clear strategy to diversify her post-Gamora career.

Dave Bautista's Definitive Drax Retirement and New Ambitions

Perhaps the most definitive career move comes from Dave Bautista. He has been vocal about his decision that his time as Drax the Destroyer is "completely closed," believing that *Vol. 3* provided the perfect, emotional conclusion for his character. His character is now dedicated to raising the children of Knowhere, a fitting end for the Destroyer.

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Bautista, however, is not done with the superhero genre. He has publicly stated that he would return to a comic book universe only for a "bigger" and "deeper" role, specifically mentioning the desire to play a more ominous villain. His recent induction into the Academy's Class of 2025 further validates his successful transition from professional wrestling to a respected dramatic actor, paving the way for more serious, non-Drax roles in the future.

The Guardians' Crossover: James Gunn's DC Universe Connections

One of the freshest and most unique developments for the *Guardians* cast is their unexpected migration to the DC Universe (DCU), now helmed by former *Guardians* director James Gunn. This is a significant topical authority point, linking the two major comic book universes through the actors.

Rocket Raccoon and Kraglin in 'Superman' (2025)

James Gunn has confirmed that several actors from his Marvel films will appear in his DC projects. The most notable link is the 2025 film *Superman*. Bradley Cooper, the voice of Rocket Raccoon, is confirmed to have a surprise role in the film, which Gunn described as a favor from a friend. This marks a fascinating, albeit minor, crossover for the Oscar-nominated actor/director.

More significantly, Sean Gunn, who played Kraglin and provided the motion capture for Rocket, is set to take on the prominent DC role of Maxwell Lord in *Superman* (2025). This is a major move for the actor, transitioning from a supporting hero and motion-capture artist in the MCU to a pivotal, high-profile character in the DCU's new cinematic saga.

The New Guardians: Rocket’s Leadership and the Future of the Team

While the original team has disbanded, the *Guardians of the Galaxy* franchise continues under new leadership. The closing moments of *Vol. 3* confirmed a New Guardians of the Galaxy team, led by the newly appointed Captain Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper). This new roster features: Rocket, Groot (Vin Diesel), Kraglin (Sean Gunn), Cosmo the Spacedog (Maria Bakalova), Adam Warlock (Will Poulter), and the powerful child, Phyla-Vell.

This development ensures that the voices of Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Sean Gunn, and Maria Bakalova remain integral to the MCU, even as the original actors move on. The team's next appearance, likely in a future *Avengers* film like *Secret Wars*, is a highly anticipated event, confirming that the legacy of the Guardians will continue with a fresh, diverse lineup.

Mantis and Nebula: Spies, Thrillers, and New Genres

The actresses behind Mantis and Nebula are also making waves in major non-MCU franchises, demonstrating their ability to thrive in high-octane Hollywood productions.

Pom Klementieff (Mantis) has secured a significant role in the *Mission: Impossible* franchise. She is set to reprise her character, Paris, in the upcoming *Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning* in 2025. This role as a formidable antagonist showcases her physical acting abilities in a spy-thriller setting, a stark contrast to the innocent, empathetic Mantis.

Karen Gillan (Nebula) has been focused on diverse projects, including the fantasy drama *The Life of Chuck*, based on a Stephen King novella. This follows a pattern of her career choices to balance massive franchise work with more character-driven, genre-specific films, further establishing her as a versatile actress outside of the blue-skinned cyborg Nebula.