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Here's what the cast of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' looks like in real life

Olivia Singh   

Here's what the cast of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' looks like in real life
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" is now playing in theaters.Jessica Miglio/Marvel Studios

Chris Pratt stars as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, leader of the Guardians.

Chris Pratt stars as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, leader of the Guardians.
Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Peter is a half-human, half-Celestial who was abducted at 8 years old by Ravagers in July 1988.

In real life, Pratt looks fairly similar to his on-screen persona.

In real life, Pratt looks fairly similar to his on-screen persona.
Chris Pratt at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Pratt told Total Film that he'd be open to playing Star-Lord if the concept honors the work done by writer-director James Gunn in the "Guardians" trilogy.

"I don't want to be cynical in the approach and if that's the case, I just wouldn't do it at all," Pratt said. "So maybe down the road if something makes sense I would do it but it would really have to check a lot of the right boxes."

Zoe Saldaña portrays Gamora, the adopted daughter of the Mad Titan named Thanos.

Zoe Saldaña portrays Gamora, the adopted daughter of the Mad Titan named Thanos.
Zoe Saldaña as Gamora in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Gamora was killed by Thanos (Josh Brolin) as a sacrifice for the soul stone in "Avengers: Infinity War."

The version of Gamora in "Vol. 3" is from the 2014 timeline, and therefore isn't familiar with the Guardians.

Saldaña obviously doesn't have green skin like her character.

Saldaña obviously doesn
Zoe Saldaña at a "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" event in France.      Thomas Padilla/AP

"Vol. 3" will be Saldaña's final appearance as Gamora.

"I don't think this is the end for the Guardians. It is the end for me, for Gamora," she told The Hollywood Reporter.

Dave Bautista stars as Drax the Destroyer.

Dave Bautista stars as Drax the Destroyer.
Dave Bautista as Drax in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Drax had a wife named Ovette and a daughter named Kamaria, both of whom were killed years ago by Ronan (Lee Pace).

In real life, Bautista has short hair and a beard.

In real life, Bautista has short hair and a beard.
Dave Bautista in January 2023.      Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Earlier this year, Bautista told GQ that he's "grateful" for his Marvel role, but is looking forward to "Vol. 3" being the last time he plays the character.

"There's a relief," he said of the franchise ending. "It wasn't all pleasant. It was hard playing that role. The makeup process was beating me down. And I just don't know if I want Drax to be my legacy — it's a silly performance, and I want to do more dramatic stuff."

Karen Gillan plays Nebula, another adopted daughter of Thanos.

Karen Gillan plays Nebula, another adopted daughter of Thanos.
Karen Gillan as Nebula in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Growing up, Thanos pitted Nebula and Gamora against each other.

Whenever Gamora won a battle against her in training, Thanos would punish Nebula by replacing a piece of her with machinery.

Gillan has long red hair and light-brown eyes in real life.

Gillan has long red hair and light-brown eyes in real life.
Karen Gillan at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Back in 2014, special-effects makeup artist David White told Insider that Gillan's prosthetic makeup was the "most complex" to apply on the actor.

He said that it took approximately four hours and 15 minutes to apply Gillan's makeup and 30 minutes to remove it all.

Pom Klementieff joined the franchise in "Vol. 2" as Mantis, an empath.

Pom Klementieff joined the franchise in "Vol. 2" as Mantis, an empath.
Pom Klementieff as Mantis in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Mantis has antennae and large, black, bug-like eyes. She can sense a person's feelings by touching them and can alter emotions to an extent.

Off-camera, Klementieff has blond hair and hazel eyes.

Off-camera, Klementieff has blond hair and hazel eyes.
Pom Klementieff at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

For her role as Mantis, Klementieff wore prosthetics at the top of her forehead and the rest of her antennae were achieved via CGI.

Vin Diesel voices Groot, the franchise's lovable humanoid plant.

Vin Diesel voices Groot, the franchise
Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel, in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

His vocabulary is primarily limited to the phrase: "I am Groot."

Diesel often channels his character at red-carpet premieres.

Diesel often channels his character at red-carpet premieres.
Vin Diesel at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

At the LA premiere of "Vol. 3," the "Fast and Furious" actor wore a jacket that resembled Groot.

He also had a tiny Groot tucked into the inner pocket of his jacket.

Diesel previously wore a white jacket with twigs at the premiere of "Avengers: Infinity War" and a Groot-like green-and-black jacket at the premiere of "Avengers: Endgame."

Bradley Cooper voices Rocket Raccoon.

Bradley Cooper voices Rocket Raccoon.
Rocket Raccoon in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Rocket is the result of illegal genetic and cybernetic experiments.

His heartbreaking backstory is explored in detail in "Vol. 3."

Cooper has blue eyes, dark-brown hair, and facial hair in real life.

Cooper has blue eyes, dark-brown hair, and facial hair in real life.
Bradley Cooper at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Cooper told Entertainment Tonight that watching "Vol. 3" was an "emotional" experience.

"I watched a cut of it a while ago, and I cried pretty hard," he said. "I mean, it's pretty hardcore. Little Rocket — he went through a lot, dude. He went through a lot."

Chukwudi Iwuji makes his Marvel debut as the High Evolutionary, the movie's antagonist.

Chukwudi Iwuji makes his Marvel debut as the High Evolutionary, the movie
Chukwudi Iwuji as the High Evolutionary in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Iwuji confirmed his role and first debuted his High Evolutionary costume during an appearance at San Diego Comic-Con in 2022.

Iwuji has short hair and is more prone to smiling than his villainous character.

Iwuji has short hair and is more prone to smiling than his villainous character.
Chukwudi Iwuji at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Iwuji previously starred as Murn on James Gunn's HBO Max series "Peacemaker."

"He was, along with Viola Davis and Margot Robbie and Benicio Del Toro and a few others, one of the best actors I've ever had the pleasure of working with," Gunn said of Iwuji via email to Variety. "I had a feeling Chuk could bring something unique to the role."

Sean Gunn reprises his role as Kraglin, one of the more recent additions to the Guardians lineup.

Sean Gunn reprises his role as Kraglin, one of the more recent additions to the Guardians lineup.
Sean Gunn as Kraglin in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

The device on Kraglin's head is used to control his Yaka arrow, which he inherited after Yondu's (Michael Rooker) death in "Vol. 2."

Unlike his character, Gunn isn't bald in real life.

Unlike his character, Gunn isn
Sean Gunn at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Gunn, the brother of the director, is also the stand-in on set for Rocket.

"Borat 2" breakout star Maria Bakalova voices Cosmo the Spacedog.

"Borat 2" breakout star Maria Bakalova voices Cosmo the Spacedog.
Cosmo is voiced by Maria Bakalova in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Cosmo was sent into space by the Soviets in 1996. She has telekinetic abilities.

The Bulgarian actor has blonde hair in real life.

The Bulgarian actor has blonde hair in real life.
Maria Bakalova at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Bakalova wore a mo-cap suit to act as Cosmo on set, and the dog seen on the big screen is primarily CGI.

Elizabeth Debicki returns as Ayesha, the High Priestess of the Sovereign.

Elizabeth Debicki returns as Ayesha, the High Priestess of the Sovereign.
Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Marvel Studios

Ayesha served as one of the antagonists of "Vol. 2."

Debicki is blonde in real life but doesn't have gold skin.

Debicki is blonde in real life but doesn
Elizabeth Debicki at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Debicki previously told ComicBook.com that the transformation took hours and likened it to a car wash.

"They built a sort of car wash where I sat," she explained. "There was a lot of paint and a lot of sitting around and drying. It's quite an intimate process."

Debicki also said that Ayesha's multi-piece costumes required several people to help get them on her.

Will Poulter makes his first appearance as Adam Warlock.

Will Poulter makes his first appearance as Adam Warlock.
Will Poulter as Adam Warlock in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jessica Miglio/Marvel Studios

The character was first teased in the end-credits scene of "Vol. 2," created by Ayesha with the intention of killing the Guardians so she could get revenge.

Poulter has blue eyes and light-brown hair when he's not in character.

Poulter has blue eyes and light-brown hair when he
Will Poulter at the LA premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3."      Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

To become Adam, Poulter's body had to be painted gold.

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