Fans have a long wait ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 to hit theaters, but in the meantime, the Guardians of the Galaxy animated series is moving full speed ahead with casting announcements. Star-Lord, Rocket, and Groot have already earned voices, and now it’s been revealed who will breathe life into the final two members of the team: Drax and Gamora.
This week, Marvel announced that David Sobolov will be the voice of Drax the Destroyer in the animated series. This is Sobolov’s fifth outing as the character, having previously portrayed him in the animated shows Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble and Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., as well as the video game Lego Marvel Super Heroes. Sobolov’s Drax voice is much gruffer than Dave Bautista’s in the movie, but it still sounds appropriate for a powerful warrior. Below is the video of Sobolov sharing the news of him joining the cast. Unfortunately, he doesn’t do the Drax voice, so you’ll have to browse YouTube to find clips of him on the other shows.
This was followed by today’s announcement of Star Wars Rebels actress Vanessa Marshall will provide the vocals for Gamora, “the most dangerous woman in the galaxy.” Like Sobolov, Marhsall didn’t go into character in her video, but it’s likely she’ll also be able to deliver the same intensity that Zoe Salanda delivered in the film.
This week we’ve also learned that Kevin Michael Richardson will be be voicing Groot, Trevor Devall will voice Rocket Raccoon and Will Friedle will voice Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, which rounds out the main cast.
It was reported last year that the animated series will take place after the events of the first movie, so presumably that means that Sobolov’s Drax will also not understand metaphors and Marshall’s Gamora will be immune to Star-Lord’s “pelvic sorcery.” Although Drax and Gamora weren’t included in last year’s New York Comic-Con test footage, they did appear on the poster for the show, so you’ll be able to match up the voice with the figures you’ll see running around on the small screen.
Neither actor is a stranger to the world of superheroes. Sobolov’s previous work includes voicing Lobo on Young Justice and and Persuader on Legion of Super Heroes. Among Marshall’s superhero roles are voicing Black Canary on Young Justice, Black Widow on Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Wonder Woman in the DC animated films Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox.
The Guardians of the Galaxy animated series will debut on Disney XD later this year.
