Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 introduces audiences to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of the High Evolutionary. Played by Chukwudi Iwuji, the character is purposefully bizarre, frightening, and unpredictable. It's that latter element that builds across the course of the film, and is especially contrasted against Recorder Vim -- his most consistent ally. Played by Miriam Shor, the scientifically-minded Vim has a clear belief in the work being carried out by the villain, but her personality contrasts with him in interesting ways.

During an interview with CBR ahead of the film's theatrical release on May 5, Miriam Shor discussed how she came into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 with the best kind of preparation, the joys of finding the humanity in the inhuman-by-design Recorder Vim, and the importance of approaching the Guardians of the Galaxy with the same gravitas one brings to Shakespeare.

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Miriam Shor Headshot

CBR: First off, congrats on the film! It's a lot of fun.

Miriam Shor: Oh my God -- [Karen Gillen] [and I] were both in the bathroom [during the premiere], because we'd both been crying profusely. You really get a bang for your buck with this one. You know when you're on a roller coaster, and it's over, you feel like, "What the hell, that was like two hills, and it's over?" Then you're on a [different] roller coaster where you [think], "Holy shit... I'm already a sci-fi nerd. I can write dissertations on every sci-fi movie I love; but having participated in [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3] on such a deep level, I could write a 62,000-page dissertation on it.

Looking back, what got you so excited to join this film?

There's nothing that's not in this movie. It genuinely [has] everything. It's like the best buffet you've ever been to. Two weeks before I got the call about [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3], my daughter decided we were going to watch every single Marvel movie in chronological order. It was during the pandemic, so we were on our couch a lot.

Two weeks later, I get a call asking if this would be something that interests me, and I [was] like, "You have no idea.". It's something that my kids truly love, and I'm in it. I mean, they're deeply funny, nostalgic, and emotional. When [I knew] it was Guardians of the Galaxy, I was so excited. This is a genre that I love. I remember sitting in the darkened movie theater watching [sci-fi] and that opened my brain to the possibility of what film can do. It taps back into why I even do this.

That's absolutely lovely, and I love that you got to enjoy it on all those levels.

On top of that, to be able to go and look -- as a fan -- and be behind the scenes in this way to see how all of this is done... I was so annoying. I would just ask every single human I came in contact with so many questions about what they were doing. To be fair, they were very patient [with me]. I mean, there are thousands of people working on these movies. They have skills that you can't believe. Some you can see, but some of them are invisible until you really understand how they work. That was so interesting.

Just the sheer scope of these productions -- I've spoken with some of the other performers who have appeared in the MCU films, and it sounds like something entirely different than the rest of the industry.

Yeah, I mean, the level of artistry. When I had to get a cast done for my head and shoulder for my makeup, I [went] to where a lot of these special effects are done, and just seeing the creatures that you fell in love from other movies was like Willy Wonka. When I got to go back into that workshop, and you see an artist painting something so visually beautiful next to a person who is literally making a robot -- I lost it.

She's not a central character in the film, but I do love that Recorder Vin gets to have a lot more to her than just the standard "henchman" archetype. There are moments between her and the High Evolutionary that speak to her own agency.

You know, I think there are so many levels on which these films work. Iif it's good enough writing, it will be right. It does allow for a lot of space for real questions that we should be asking. One of those questions is why do people follow the worst people in the world to the path of destruction? Why? That's what a hench-person is doing. You can't do these things without the followers, right? So why did these people do it? It's a real question. It's a deep question. I know these are from comic books, but comic books were created to ask real questions, not just entertain.

That's a thorny question that I've been asking myself, as I watch what's happening in the world. Why do people follow people who make the worst decision? What's amazing is that I'm an actor, I get to explore that. That's what I was trying to do. Like, what is it that leads a person to continue [alongside] them? Is it self-preservation, a true interest in the work? And what about that moment when it all comes crashing down because invariably they're going to lead you over a cliff? All you need to do is read one history book, the followers go over the cliff every time. I find it [fascinating] to explore. I mean, you have to do that as an actor -- figure out what you love about the character playing and figure out how you connect, figure out why, and be interested. You can't be disdainful. Those kinds of stories explore our existence and who we are as a society.

Guardians of the Galaxy Rocket High Evolutionary Experiment

What surprised you about Recorder Vim?

Here's my hook -- I'd like to believe I'm not a follower. I was like, okay, well, what can I get behind [with Vim]? She's a scientist. She's a believer of it all. So that was a way in. Like, if you really are fascinated by that, and you believe it, and you have a role in it? That's where your ego ties in. She believes she's only an observer and a true scientist with no emotional connection. That, I think, is what she thinks she is.

There's no question that she has emotions for the High Evolutionary, there's no question that she has emotion invested, and there's no question that there are places she wouldn't go. I could tap into those things you tell yourself about yourself, and then be confronted with the reality. I think we all have those moments where like, I'm the kind of person who does this -- like me. What am I confronted with that thought at some point, and you have to grapple with that? That's deeply human. Trying to take these characters -- [Vim] worked really hard on not being anything like a human, and finding the humanity of them.

What was it like developing that rapport with Chukwudi Iwuji on-set?

Chuk is a fantastic actor. He and I both come from theater, so we were able to play [this] in the best possible way. It's so, so fun to be able to do that. We're so grateful to be looking around on those sets in those costumes and pinching ourselves, going, "This is so fun." On top of that, [Director James Gunn] would be [so] indulgent. "Go for it like this is Macbeth and Lady M, really go for it. Really play into that." Once you say that to your actors -- forget it. We really committed. Why are you doing it if you're not going to commit to the stakes and the play of it? It's such a joy. It's so much fun.

We shot stuff that we're gonna change, and James was like, "This is never going to be in the movie, but please keep doing it." It's so fun to hear the captain of this giant ship, saying, like, I know I have to sail us to these places. I know I have to do all this stuff. But let's take the time to play. I mean, it was awesome. Chuk is extraordinary. Chuk is extraordinary. Getting to do that with him was such a joy. Really bantering with him, sipping our tea with honey with no sounds after shouting for 16 hours. We really couldn't ask for more. It's the dream. Like, you have to be grateful for that. It's also unquestionably more fun. James knows I have worked as a director as well. It doesn't matter how dark a scene is, if the people doing it are having fun. And by fun, I don't mean just laughing. But like when you watch children play pretend, they're serious about it. When you watch actors doing that... everything will always be better for it.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 comes to theaters May 5.