A therapist dives into Rocket Raccoon’s MCU story across the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and explains what makes James Gunn’s story so good.
In unpacking Rocket Raccoon’s MCU story, a licensed therapist explains how Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 nailed the ending for the character. Writer and director James Gunn was responsible for bringing the Guardians of the Galaxy to live-action and introducing them to the Marvel Cinematic Universe nearly a decade ago. Ever since the series began, Gunn was adamant that it was, at its heart, Rocket’s story – and that became especially clear in the third film’s focus on the raccoon’s past. The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ending set up Rocket as the new leader of the team, concluding his MCU story thus far.
In a new episode of Cinema Therapy, licensed therapist Jonathan Decker, filmmaker Alan Seawright and author Brandon Mull unpack the storyline of Rocket Raccoon over the course Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. As Decker explains throughout the episode, when viewers meet Rocket, he’s still very much in a mindset where he’s struggling to move past the trauma caused by the High Evolutionary. Rocket is reluctant to trust others, especially humans or humanoid aliens, but slowly starts to heal when he finds a safe community/family with the other Guardians.
However, Rocket’s path to healing isn’t linear, and he still struggles with feeling vulnerable in Vol. 2. Then, Infinity War is when Rocket truly starts to invest himself in his family and the community they’ve built, even going as far as to join the Avengers in Endgame. Rocket’s story comes full circle when he becomes the leader of the Guardians at the end of Vol. 3, showing the completion of his journey to heal from the trauma of his childhood. The Cinema Therapy episode is an especially insightful discussion of Rocket’s emotional arc and how it concludes in Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
What’s Next For Rocket Raccoon In The MCU
As of now, when – or if – Rocket will return to the MCU is currently unknown as Marvel Studios has not yet confirmed whether he’ll appear in either Avengers: The Kang Dynasty or Avengers: Secret Wars. Given Rocket was a member of the Avengers during Endgame, and considering the massive multiversal threat of Kang, it’s likely Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will need all hands on deck, and they’ll call on the new leader of the Guardians to help. As Rocket has become a stronger leader since completing his healing journey, he would no doubt be an asset to the Avengers in helping defeat Kang.
It’s also possible Rocket could return in Guardians of the Galaxy 4, though Marvel hasn’t officially announced that movie yet. If a fourth installment of the franchise were to happen, it wouldn’t be written or directed by James Gunn, who has said he’s done with the team’s story. (He’s also begun his tenure as co-CEO of DC Studios and is busy for the next few years.) Still, with Rocket now leading the Guardians of the Galaxy, if a fourth movie were to happen, he’s very likely appear.
Until Rocket’s MCU future is officially announced, it remains to be seen when the character will return. For now, his entire storyline over the last decade has been released and is available to watch, from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 through to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. And, as evidenced by the Cinema Therapy discussion of Rocket’s MCU story, it’s one of the strongest in the franchise.
