The upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has fans wondering about the fate of Rocket Raccoon, given the film’s emphasis on his origin story and the somber tone of its trailers. Writer/director James Gunn has even referred to Rocket as the “secret protagonist” of the franchise and has stated that he “needed to finish Rocket’s story.”
Gunn Responds To Theorizing Fans
In a recent Instagram exchange, a commenter expressed hope that Rocket would die in the upcoming MCU film. Gunn responded with a wide-eyed emoji, which could be interpreted in different ways. When another fan suggested that Rocket simply be “sent off world for a bit,” Gunn retorted, “that’s not how stories work.”
Speculating On Who Might Die
While it’s possible that Rocket could meet his end in the film, the heavy emotional weight and conclusive elements of the script make it likely that at least one major character will die. Star-Lord and Drax are the most likely candidates, and of the two, Dave Bautista’s Drax is the more likely to bite the dust, given the actor’s expressed desire to move on from the role.
Rocket’s Future
If Rocket does survive, he could be poised to lead a new generation of cosmic heroes, as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is confirmed to be the last adventure for this iteration of the Guardians team.