[Interview] The Cast of ‘GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3’ Reflects on Their Marvelous Journey

Courtney Howard // Film Critic

We’ve been through a lot with this bunch of a-holes from GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. We’ve seen then grow and mature as characters, as have the actors themselves who’ve also seen their stardom rise. This rag tag cast of writer-director James Gunn’s three features (and one absolutely delightful holiday special!) have been through it all together, uniting for an alleged final time in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3.

This chapter is centered on Rocket’s origin, but also has the gang banding together in order to save him from a dire situation – one that affects many more lifeforms in the galaxy. At the film’s recent virtual press conference, Gunn and his cast spoke about what they’ve enjoyed discovering over the years in terms character discoveries, as well as what these roles have taught them about themselves.

Lead Chris Pratt, who plays Peter Quill – a.k.a. Star Lord, felt a responsibility to make sure everyone felt present, worthy and heard concluding their arcs and shooting their last shots on set.

“The thing that you want to avoid is regret. One day, looking back and thinking, ‘Why did I just let that go by without trying to enjoy every moment? Why didn’t I savor that?’ I knew that going into it. I was present and it still felt like a whirlwind. For the most part, the feelings that I was sort of writing down on the back of my mind about the experience were just gratitude and just being grateful.

I knew how important it was to be present in that moment, because I have had the experience of being part of things that have come and gone. I remember on PARKS AND REC, it felt that after seven years, at the end, it’s like the last day of summer or last day of school before summer – and you’re not going to be coming back to school together. It’s that summer camp vibe of like am I ever going to see these people again. 

It’s an emotional feeling. And having gone through that, it was important that I be present, but also that I coerce other people into being present as well. So, that was sort of a responsibility that I felt I had – is just to make sure to check in with everybody.”

This included making a big speech with a few jabs aimed at the critics. He continues,

“To James, I wanted to be the guy who reminded everyone how far we’d come and all the things that we’d overcome. So I read a few reviews from people who had said that the GUARDIANS was going to be the first big flop. I was like, “Here’s what this guy said. And this guy said. Don’t know how those ended up in my notes for the past nine years.”

Karen Gillan, who plays Gamora’s biologically engineered sister Nebula, has enjoyed seeing her character come into her own.

“She’s had quite the arc. Misunderstood – she was pretty bitter. Post-Thanos being eliminated from her life, she’s starting to flourish a little bit more and she’s starting to have a lighter personality. She’s a little more willing to show vulnerability.”

It’s even given her a greater understanding of sisterly interpersonal relationships.

“What’s changed for me? Definitely my understanding of what it’s like to be a scapegoat sibling. Nebula was never the golden child and so, I never understood that because I’m an only child. And so, that was a really sort of interesting exploration for me. I just have so much respect for people that have gone through that.”

Pom Klementieff, who plays Peter’s empath half-sister Mantis, has valued getting to play into the deeper layers of her character since VOL. 2.

“It’s beautiful to tap in and create deep, profound, and layered emotions. And I got to be super weird, which is really fun to do, too. It kinda comes naturally to me. I think each character, they complete each other. I remember James telling me that Mantis was kind of like the glue that kept the Guardians together in some ways. I think the world lacks a lot of empathy, so it’s a beautiful message.”

She evolves so much throughout the movies and gains so much confidence. At the beginning, I was more bug-like, doing little hand gestures, like a fly. And then, she spent more time with the Guardians, so she’s more used to being around other people. So, she’s less doing weird stuff and more walking and fighting all these things.”

She’s also loved that Mantis is different than her comic book iteration.

“In the comic books, she was great too. She was very powerful, but kinda similar to a lot of other female characters in the Marvel universe or in other superhero movies. It was interesting to give a different take on a female character and give more comedy and more awkwardness and something different.”

Sean Gunn, who plays not only Kraglin, but also has been in the mo-cap suit on-set for Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) on all three films, brought an insightful look to the roles.

“Just like all the Guardians, Kraglin had to kind of figure out what his place in the family was.  And one thing that really impresses me about the movies is how I do feel like, in a way, that the journey of the cast has mirrored the journey of the characters, in a way.

For me, being there in the first movie and feeling like, ‘Oh, I’m the director’s brother and I’m kind of on the outside.’ Kraglin is just kind of on the peripheral and he comes in and says his things here and there. Learning that, over the course of the movies, I felt as much at home with all these people, that I felt fully accepted and a full member of the cast and of the group. His journey to learn why he belongs is my favorite thing about him.”

As to our very own question about what he’ll take with him from these playing these dual roles and applying to his future work, Sean Gunn gives credit to the team.

“There’s the whole Rocket side of the work that I’ve done on these movies and a few others that has been really close to me as well. And it takes a team of people to create Rocket. I’m kind of a member of that team. I think of the creation of Rocket almost like a relay race where James takes the baton of the character that he’s created and passes it to me. I work with the cast on set and do the first part and then we hand it to the visual effects team. They start to put the whole thing together and then you give it to the anchor and Bradley makes the whole thing work.

The thing I take away from that, I’ll answer the Rocket part of it. Is it’s really a reminder to me of what is so important about collaboration to the creative process. That the whole experience of acting is about giving and not about yourself. You don’t become an actor because you think that you’re special.  You become an actor because you think other people are special. 

The idea of trying to give what I have to the creative process, I’ve never felt that more fully as I have trying to be a part of that process, collaboratively with all these other minds over the course of these three movies. Just being able to really try to do that is a reminder to always try to do that. That that’s what makes it great! That’s what makes it work is when we can all kind of work together towards the same goal.”

As for what filmmaker James Gunn will miss, it’s the totality of the experience.

“My main memories are not going to the premieres or going on these press junkets. It’s being on set and having the little moments. It’s doing bits with Chris in between sets. It’s talking to Sean. Goofing around with Pom, wondering what the hell she’s talking about. Laughing at Karen with Pom.

I’m gonna miss the characters. That’s the saddest part for me, is I really, truly love these characters. I love all of them. I think there’s certain ones that I have a special fondness for, especially Rocket. The saddest part of all of this… I’m gonna see all these people again. They’re all friends of mine. But I’m not gonna see the character.  I’m not gonna be writing the characters again, at least not in the near future. That’s a real sadness.”

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 opens in theaters on May 5.