Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Rocket’s Backstory Explained

Published: May 04, 2023, 4:32 pm Updated: Aug 21, 2023, 2:44 pm

In the first two Guardians movies, we don’t get much about the life of Rocket Raccoon as he refuses to talk about his past. But things are different in the final film of the trilogy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, because the movie is focused on the Guardians going on a mission to save Rocket’s life.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 reveals what happened to Rocket before he joined the Guardians. So, what’s Rocket Raccoon's origin story? This article explains Rocket’s backstory.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Read at your own risk!

What is Rocket’s Backstory?

The opening scene of the movie shows a bunch of baby raccoons captured by the High Evolutionary and one removed to be subjected to experiments. The High Evolutionary is Rocket’s creator and a scientist from Counter-Earth who specializes in creating hybrid creatures.

Adam Warlock (a powerful being created by Ayesha, the golden High Priestess and leader of the Sovereign) is tasked to bring Rocket back to the High Evolutionary. Adam attacks Knowhere, and Rocket is seriously injured.

The Guardians try to heal Rocket in the Medbay, but they discover that a kill switch is attached to him. This prevents them from using a med-pack on him and performing surgery. Thus, they go on a mission to save Rocket’s life and journey to Orgosphere to obtain Rocket’s file and an override code.

From then on, the movie alternates between Rocket’s backstory and the present-day action. We learn in the movie that Rocket was experimented on by his creator the High Evolutionary.

Rocket was experiment “89P13”, and he belonged to Batch 89. The High Evolutionary took an interest in Rocket because of his intelligence. Rocket was able to solve a problem the High Evolutionary couldn’t.

While this impresses his maker, the High Evolutionary still informs Rocket that he and his animal friends (Lylla, Teefs, and Floor) wouldn’t be going to the new world because they’re only test experiments and not perfect creations.

Because of this, Rocket tries to escape with his animal friends, but the High Evolutionary catches up to them. He shoots the otter Lylla. Seeing his friend dead, Rocket attacks the High Evolutionary and claws up his face.

When the guards arrive, Teefs and Floor are killed, but Rocket manages to escape. Thus, in the present day, the High Evolutionary asks the Sovereign to find Rocket because he deems the raccoon as the only one capable of true invention. In turn, Adam Warlock is tasked to return Rocket to the High Evolutionary.

Did Rocket Die in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?

Thankfully, Rocket survives. In a flashback scene, we meet Rocket’s friends Lylla the Otter, Teefs the Walrus, and Floor the rabbit.

They talk about having new names when they move to the new world. Lylla explains that “89Q12” isn’t really a name and shares that she would like to be called “Lylla”. Rocket says it’s a pretty name.

Rocket and his friends lying on the floor in a cage

Teefs the Walrus says that he wants to be called “Teefs” because “although we all do have them, mine are definitely the most prominent”. Floor the Rabbit wants to be called “Floor” because she’s lying on the floor.

They ask their friend Rocket what he wants his name to be. Rocket responds that someday, he’s gonna make machines fly and that he and his friends are gonna go flying together “into the forever and beautiful sky.” Thus, he would like to be called “Rocket”.

Rocket sees his friend Lylla in another dimension, or the afterlife

In the present day, Rocket’s condition gets worse and Peter and Gamora try to heal him. Their efforts seemingly fail because Rocket flatlines. Gamora tells Peter that Rocket’s gone, but Peter refuses to believe his best friend is dead.

Meanwhile, Rocket sees his friend the otter Lylla in another dimension (or what appears to be the afterlife). He asks Lylla if he could join them, and Lylla says that he can, but his time has not yet come. Peter then successfully implements the override code and Rocket comes back to life.

The Guardians of the Galaxy get separated when they try to save Rocket. Nebula, Mantis, and Drax go to the High Evolutionary’s ship thinking Peter was still there. They discover that there are captured children as well who are subject to experiments.

The Guardians come to rescue them along with Kraglin. With Cosmo the Spacedog’s telekinesis, they were able to connect the High Evolutionary's ship to Kraglin's ship to allow the captured children to cross.

Rocket finds baby raccoons and other animals on the ship, which reminds him of his past. While the ship was about to explode, he tells Peter that they need to save all the experimented animals.

The High Evolutionary then arrives and attacks Rocket. The Guardians step in, and Gamora removes the High Evolutionary’s mask, which then reveals his face after Rocket clawed him years ago.

Drax suggests that they should kill him, but Rocket chooses not to because he’s a “freaking Guardian of the Galaxy”.

What Happens to Rocket After Beating the High Evolutionary?

After beating the High Evolutionary, the Guardians of the Galaxy go their separate ways. They wanted to pursue different paths.

Peter goes back to Earth to be with his grandfather, Gamora goes back to her newfound family the Ravagers, Mantis goes on a journey of self-discovery and brings the Abilisks with her, and Drax and Nebula stay in Knowhere to help rebuild the city.

Rocket becomes the Captain of the new Guardians of the Galaxy, which consists of himself, Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo, Phyla-Vell, and Adam Warlock with his fuzzy alien pet Blurp.

In a mid-credits scene, we see the new Guardians of the Galaxy assembled. They go on a mission to help a planet. They discuss their favorite music and moments later, as their enemies approach, the new Guardians of the Galaxy head into battle with “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone playing in the background.

Will There Be Another Guardians of the Galaxy Film?

While James Gunn has been consistent in saying that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is his last film in the franchise, the mid-credits scene and post-credits scene show that this may not be the last time we’ll be seeing the Guardians of the Galaxy.

With a new team in place, it could be possible that there would still be another Guardians movie, even though the original members (except Rocket and Groot) would no longer be in it.

While we may not have our answers yet, at least we know that Rocket survives in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Thus, we can hope to see him in future Marvel films.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is now playing in theaters.