When Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 opens, it will be an emotional closure for the trilogy of films that follows a team of planet-hopping space heroes.
Key points:
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is the last film of the franchise to be directed by James Gunn
- Will Poulter says his hair, make-up and body paint took two hours to apply each day
- Poulter's audition process started in June and finished in September 2021
In the third instalment, the mish-mash team — led by Peter Quill (played by Chris Pratt) — faces a new villain with ties to the past of Rocket Raccoon (played by Bradley Cooper).
The sci-fi film also introduces the long-teased character anti-hero and part-villain Adam Warlock, played by 30-year-old British actor Will Poulter, who makes his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Poulter said his hair, make-up and body paint took two hours to apply each day.
"I was helped into the suit every single day. I was a superhero who couldn't dress himself and prior to that I was in hair and makeup for two hours," he told ABC News.
"You know, although it was a long process, it was incredible to watch that team of people just execute at the highest of levels, every single day, with a perfect level of consistency."
The film follows themes of found family and celebrates characters' diverseness and, Poulter said, the studio had responsibilities of telling stories that reflect the wider world, especially with an audience base that's so large.
"I think that Marvel has such a huge audience that it's incumbent on any kind of studio of this size to make sure that the films that they are producing have positive and kind of productive social applications," Poulter said.
Poulter's audition process started in June and finished in September 2021, with the last stage being a screen test with director James Gunn.
"I wasn't even really aware of who I was auditioning for initially, and exactly what the project was, but I started to get a better idea as the process evolved," Poulter said.
Other actors Marvel reportedly considered for the role included 1917's George Mackay and Bridgerton's Rege Jean-Page.
In the comic books, Adam Warlock had been engineered to be genetically perfect, and he represents the next stage of human evolution.
Warlock was teased in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in an after-credits scene and is a kind-of villain when he and the Guardians cross paths.
Poulter said the stunt work was a humbling experience because he was "absolutely terrible" at it.
"I'm convinced to this day that I accidentally hit Dave [Bautista] in the face and he's too nice to tell me that I did. He, I think to this day, you know, still says that I didn't. Pretty sure I punched him in the face."
Poulter is known for his roles in The Maze Runner, Midsommar and starred opposite Michael Keaton in the TV drama Dopesick.
Warlock has decades' worth of storylines in the comic books, but when asked if his character's arcs are planned out within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Poulter remained secretive.
"Well, I can't deny or confirm that statement. But I can say that I really hope to continue Adam's evolution and I really, really hope that I get to further explore his journey of self-development.
"I really, you know, don't take the responsibility lightly if I continue on with the character — I'd try to … show the same level of care and commitment to the source material," he said.
Volume 3 is the last Guardians film in the franchise to be directed by James Gunn, who is also co-head of DC Studios. Gunn revealed a slate of fresh DC films and TV stories in January.
Apart from Cooper and Bautista, the film also stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, and Borat 2's Maria Bakalova.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is in Australian cinemas from May 4.