Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania-mania might be gripping the Marvel fandom right now, but don’t forget that May is set to deliver Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the long-awaited final installment in James Gunn’s cosmic trilogy. As much as we’re looking forward to it, though, for years folks have been convinced that the threequel will result in the death of one of the team’s most beloved members. Except now, a fresh synopsis has fans thinking that the movie might be headed in another direction.
First of all, Marvel Studios has unveiled this new synopsis for Vol. 3 which appears to spell out what we’ve all been fearing — that Rocket’s life will be danger in the film. Per the old fan theory, Bradley Cooper’s trash panda is about to meet his end during the Guardians’ battle with his own creator, the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji). It reads:
“In Marvel Studios’ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life — a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.”
Given this synopsis and the first trailer, Marvel’s definitely keen on making us think that Rocket’s going to die in this one. So maybe the truth will actually be a little different, if just as emotional. In a Reddit thread discussing these plot details, user /Rman823 pitched an idea that caught on massively with other commenters — a way to wrap up Rocket’s storyline for good but not kill him off.
“I still feel like Rocket’s going to survive,” the Redditor wrote, “but will be devolved back to a regular raccoon. Which will be just as gut-wrenching.”
Another user pointed out that, as heartbreaking as this might be to watch, it could be a fate that Rocket would actually want, based on a certain quote from his past:
Especially if his love interest, Lylla the otter, is devolved along with him.
While this is starting to look like something of a happy ending, though, others are viewing as it as a truly horrifying fate.
Even if this is what happens to Rocket, there’s still a chance someone else will die instead, and the smart money looks to be on Dave Bautista’s Drax.
Seeing as the High Evolutionary’s motivation in the comics is evolving and devolving lifeforms, this theory is worryingly feasible. We’ll find out if it’s accurate come Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s release on May 5.