Before Rocket Raccoon Takes Centre Stage In 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol.3', Let's Look Back At His 10 Best Moments

It may be hard to believe given their popularity now, but once upon a time, Guardians of the Galaxy was considered the riskiest project the Marvel Cinematic Universe had ever attempted. In an already risky film, Rocket, a wise-cracking, gun-toting, genetically modified raccoon, was considered one of the riskiest characters to adapt to the big screen, especially considering the possibility of his eventual crossover into other MCU franchises, such as the Avengers.

James Gunn, Director/Writer of all three Guardians of the Galaxy films, has admitted to initially being unsure of whether the character would work. Ultimately, however, Gunn realized that the reasons behind the existence of a creature such as Rocket Raccoon would be tragic ones. That was his 'in' on the films, and Rocket's story became the one the Director was most excited to tell. Now, nearly ten years after his onscreen debut, Rocket Raccoon has had some of the best character development in the MCU, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is set to deliver a deep dive into his backstory.

Before Rocket takes centre stage for what may well be the final time, let's take a look back at a few of his greatest moments.

1. The Prison Break (Guardians of the Galaxy)

As long time MCU fans will be aware, the group of ragtag criminal misfits who eventually form the Guardians of the Galaxy first become fully acquainted with one another after they are all incarcerated in the same Prison, the Kyln, together. When Gamora, adopted daughter of Thanos, offers them each a cut of a significant potential payday from the sale of the Orb, (later revealed to be the Power Stone) the unlikely crew agree to work together to escape the Kyln.

The following escape plan is entirely formulated by Rocket Raccoon, who manages to turn off the Gravity to the entire prison, save for the control room the soon-to-be Guardians have escaped to. The scene is early proof of Rocket's skill with tech.

2. 'Bunch of Jackasses, standing in a circle' (Guardians of the Galaxy)

Facing a low point after Ronan the Accuser steals the Orb during an attack on Knowhere, Peter Quill attempts to rally his new friends to steal back the Orb and protect the planet Xandar from Ronan's planned attack. Rocket, believing this to be a suicide mission, is the most reluctant to agree, but eventually chooses to follow the others.

"We're all standing up now. Bunch of Jackasses standing in a circle."

Aside from Rocket's humourous quote, the scene is memorable for being the moment the Guardians of the Galaxy are born.

3. "Groot, you'll die! (Guardians of the Galaxy)

Despite their best efforts, the Guardians fail to stop Ronan's ship, the Dark Aster, from reaching Xandar, and worse, find themselves trapped aboard the ship as it crashes. In devastating scenes, Groot uses his own body to shield his new family.

Rocket, knowing this will cost Groot his life, begs him to stop. While the sacrifice is Groot's, much of the scene's emotional weight comes from Rocket, as it is through him that we discover exactly what is happening.

4. Rocket vs The Ravagers (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2)

After Rocket steals powerful, rare batteries from the Sovereign race, their leader, Aesha, hires Yondu's Ravager faction to capture them. The Ravagers track the Guardians to the planet Berhert, where Rocket and Groot have remained behind to try and repair their ship. Rocket is very aware that the Guardians likely have a target on their backs, and in a memorable scene, is revealed to have set up a trap that the Ravagers walk right into.

While Rocket is ultimately captured due to the intervention of Yondu, and then Nebula, the scene is a humorous reminder of his technical prowess.

5. "What kind of a pair are we?" (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2)

When Rocket puts their stolen ship through a dangerous number of hyperspace jumps after their escape from the other Ravagers, Yondu confronts the Raccoon over his irresponsible, selfish behaviour throughout the film. The conversation forces Rocket to acknowledge that he and Yondu are not so different, and continuing as he is may set him on a dangerous path.

The scene also gives some hints to the darker parts of Rocket's past, which we will soon see explored in Vol.3.

6. 'This button!' (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2)

During the climactic battle of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, the Guardians realise that the only way to defeat Ego is to destroy the living planet's core. for this purpose, Rocket builds a time bomb using the batteries he stole at the beginning of the film. The problem? Only Baby Groot is small enough to reach the core and set the bomb.

In a hilarious, adorable, and slightly frustrating scene, Rocket tries to explain to a confused Baby Groot how to set the bomb safely without detonating it before the Guardians can get clear.

It is one of the franchise's most beloved and memorable scenes so far.

7. Lighting the Forge (Avengers: Infinity War)

After the Guardians meet and befriend Thor in Avengers: Infinity War, Rocket and the now teenage Groot accompany the God of Thunder to Nidavellir, a planet where legendary weapons are said to be forged, in the hope that Thor can obtain a new weapon of his own. Unfortunately, they arrive to discover that the Forge of Nidavellir has been out since Thanos forced Eitri the Dwarf to forge the Infinity Gauntlet.

Using the pod he, Thor, and Groot had travelled in, Rocket is able to help Thor relight the forge, and Thor's ultimate weapon, Stormbreaker, is born.

8. "Oh, I'll get that arm!" (Avengers: Infinity War)

After Stormbreaker is forged, Rocket and Groot accompany Thor to Wakanda to aid in the battle against Thanos's forces. At one point during the fight, Rocket is scooped up by Bucky Barnes, who briefly uses him as a second gun. After, Rocket questions the price of Bucky's vibranium arm. Bucky replies that it is not for sale, but Rocket is undeterred.

"Oh, I'll get that arm."

Aside from continuing a joke from the Guardians films regarding Rocket's tendency to stealing prosthetics for a laugh, it begins a new joke that gets a surprising pay off four years later.

9. The Pep Talk (Avengers: Endgame)

During the Time Heist in Avengers: Endgame, Rocket is tasked to accompany Thor to the Asgard of 2013, where they are to retrieve the Aether/Power Stone. Thor, realising that they have arrived on the day of his Mother's death, suffers through a brief crisis, until Rocket gives a memorable pep talk. They cannot save Frigga, but for others, such as the Guardians, there is a chance.

"I get that you miss your Mom, but she's gone. There are plenty of people who are only kinda gone, and you can help them."

While the speech seems to work, Thor is soon distracted by running into Frigga, leaving Rocket to complete their mission on his own. Still, seeing Rocket expess how much he misses the other Guardians is sweet.

10. Rocket receives Bucky's arm for Christmas (Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special)

Towards the end of the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, we see the team exchanging Christmas gifts. In a hilarious and strangely sweet moment, Nebula gift's Rocket Bucky's vibranium arm, which he has coveted since first seeing it in Infinity War.

Aside from being the ultimate pay off to the joke in the aforementioned Infinity War scene, we may actually see a pay off on the big screen too. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3, Nebula wears a new bionic arm. It is widely believed to have been crafted for her by Rocket, and some fans theorise he may have used Bucky's arm as inspiration.

We can't wait to see what else the new film has instore.