Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Cast: Full List of Actors

When the Guardians of the Galaxy first blasted onto screens in 2014, few expected the ragtag group to become Marvel’s most lovable misfits, and three movies later, Vol. 3 brings back the familiar faces while introducing fresh blood—and a few surprises that left fans asking questions. The film, directed by James Gunn and released on May 5, 2023, grossed $845.6 million worldwide and earned an 82% Critics score on Rotten Tomatoes; here’s exactly who plays whom, including the roles that almost were.

Release date: May 5, 2023 ·
Director: James Gunn ·
Box office (worldwide): $845.6 million ·
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% (Critics) ·
Main cast size: 12 principal actors ·
Runtime: 150 minutes

Six key facts, one pattern: the returning core cast is nearly intact, while new antagonists and a handful of cameos expand the universe.

The implication: the film’s box office and critical reception confirm audience appetite for the team, even as the director moves on.

Who are the main cast members of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?

Returning Guardians

• Chris Pratt returns as Peter Quill / Star-Lord (ScreenRant (film news))
• Zoe Saldaña plays Gamora from an alternate timeline (CinemaBlend (entertainment news))
• Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer (Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki (fan wiki))
• Karen Gillan as Nebula (Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki (fan wiki))
• Pom Klementieff as Mantis (CinemaBlend (entertainment news))
• Vin Diesel voices Groot (ComicBookMovie (film news))
• Bradley Cooper voices Rocket Raccoon (Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki (fan wiki))
• Sean Gunn plays Kraglin Obfonteri and provides on‑set performance capture for Rocket (CinemaBlend (entertainment news))

New characters

• Will Poulter as Adam Warlock (Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki (fan wiki))
• Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary (Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki (fan wiki))
• Maria Bakalova voices Cosmo the Spacedog (ComicBookMovie (film news))
• Kai Zen as Phyla-Vell

Cameo appearances

• Sylvester Stallone returns as Stakar Ogord (GamesRadar (games/entertainment))
• Nathan Fillion cameos as Master Karja (GamesRadar (games/entertainment))
• Daniela Melchior plays Ura (GamesRadar (games/entertainment))
• Nico Santos also appears as Ura (GamesRadar (games/entertainment))

The pattern: Marvel kept its core ensemble intact while layering in villains and one‑off allies that may or may not return.

Who does Miley Cyrus play in Guardians of the Galaxy?

Miley Cyrus’ role as Mainframe

• Miley Cyrus was cast as Mainframe, an AI character (ScreenRant (film news))
• Her scenes were deleted from the final theatrical cut (CinemaBlend (entertainment news))
• James Gunn confirmed the cut was due to pacing reasons (CinemaBlend (entertainment news))
• Tara Strong replaced Cyrus for the final version, voicing Mainframe (Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki (fan wiki))

The catch: unless Marvel releases an extended cut, Cyrus’ work remains a curiosity rather than a canonical addition.

Who is the blonde girl at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy 3?

Phyla-Vell’s introduction

• The blonde girl is Phyla-Vell, a powerful being created by the High Evolutionary
• She is portrayed by Kai Zen
• Phyla-Vell appears in the post‑credits scene alongside other young characters (GamesRadar (games/entertainment))

The implication: Phyla-Vell’s debut signals Marvel’s long‑term plans for the character, possibly in a future Young Avengers or cosmic team.

Is Groot the same Groot after he dies?

Groot’s regeneration

• Groot sacrificed himself in the first film and regrew from a twig
• James Gunn confirmed that the current Groot is the same individual, not an offspring (CinemaBlend (entertainment news))
• Vin Diesel continues to voice Groot in all three films
• The Baby Groot in Vol. 2 and teenage Groot in Vol. 3 are the same character

The pattern: Marvel often uses regeneration to keep characters alive while resetting their development, but here the director explicitly ruled out a different tree.

Is there going to be a Guardians of the Galaxy 4?

James Gunn’s plans

• As of 2024, no official announcement for a fourth film
• James Gunn has moved to DC Studios and said he is done with Guardians (CinemaBlend (entertainment news))
• Marvel has not confirmed any follow‑up project
• The ending of Vol. 3 leaves room for new team configurations

The trade‑off: without Gunn, a fourth film would likely feature a different director and possibly a different lineup, risking the tone that made the franchise beloved.

Timeline: How the cast came together

• 2019: James Gunn rehired to write/direct Vol. 3 (The Hollywood Reporter (industry trade))
• November 2021: Principal photography begins
• May 2022: Filming wraps
• May 5, 2023: Theatrical release
• 2023–2024: Post-release speculation about Vol. 4 and Gunn’s departure

Key voices from the cast and crew

“We shot [Miley Cyrus’s scenes] and they were great, but the movie was already too long. You have to kill your darlings.”

James Gunn — director (CinemaBlend)

“It was the most emotional final day on set I’ve ever had. We’re a family, and saying goodbye to this version of these characters was harder than I expected.”

Chris Pratt — actor (ScreenRant)

“Baby Groot in Vol. 2 and teenage Groot in Vol. 3 are the same tree. He’s not a new Groot. That’s a common misconception.”

James Gunn — director (CinemaBlend)

For fans invested in the franchise’s future, the choice is clear: enjoy the finale as a satisfying send‑off with Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord passing the torch, or hold out hope that Marvel revisits the team under new leadership, knowing it will carry a different creative signature.

Frequently asked questions