Marvel Considering Adorable Spin-Off: Baby Rocket Set to Steal Hearts in Phase 5

Summary

Baby Rocket Raccoon, introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, could be perfect for his own spin-off in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Rocket Raccoon's rich backstory and character evolution make him an ideal choice for a spin-off. Such a series would provide a platform to delve into his life prior to joining the other Guardians, presenting emotional depth and countless endearing escapades.

If one director's idea comes to fruition, Baby Rocket Raccoon, who made his debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 this year, may receive a spin-off in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since his introduction in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 in 2014, Rocket Raccoon has garnered a significant fan following and has proven to be a captivating character. However, it was in James Gunn's third installment of the trilogy where his origin story was delved into, paving the way for his future in the MCU. In the post-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Rocket is depicted leading a new team of heroes.

Director Kirsten Lepore, who helms the I Am Groot series, attributed part of the character's success to their rich backstory. Consequently, Lepore proposed Rocket Raccoon as a potential Marvel character deserving of a spin-off. During an interview with ComicBook.com, Lepore was asked about suitable characters for the digital short form series, and she immediately thought of Rocket. Lepore pondered the possibility of exploring baby raccoon stories in a Rocket-centric installment.

Why Rocket's Past Is The Perfect GOTG Spin-Off

Rocket Raccoon's character development is thoroughly examined throughout James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, culminating in his significant growth and transformation in Guardians of the Galaxy 3. The film unveils the origins of Rocket, including his creation, abuse, and ultimate betrayal by the High Evolutionary, which shapes his cynical and standoffish persona as a bounty hunter. The conclusion of Guardians of the Galaxy 3 emphasizes Rocket's immense personal growth as he confronts and triumphs over his traumatic past, ultimately assuming the role of the team's new leader.

However, the audience does not witness much of Rocket's earlier life or the period between his escape from the High Evolutionary and his encounter with the other Guardians in Vol. 1. This provides ample opportunity for a spin-off series to delve into this untold narrative, offering Marvel the chance to showcase more of the endearing scoundrel introduced in the first Guardians of the Galaxy film. Moreover, as Rocket still grapples with the lasting effects of his trauma, there is profound emotional depth to be explored in this character. While Marvel may opt to maintain a lighter tone, particularly if the spin-off takes the form of a series like I Am Groot, there would still be plenty of exciting adventures featuring Baby Rocket to captivate audiences.

It remains uncertain if any other Marvel characters will receive their own spin-off in a series of digital shorts. Currently, Marvel has not announced any additional new animated series apart from X-Men '97, Spider-Man: Freshman Year, and Marvel Zombies, which have already been approved. Furthermore, it is unknown when Rocket will make his return in the MCU. While there is a possibility of his appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy 4, he could also show up in one of the upcoming Avengers movies. Until this information is revealed, the idea of a Rocket Raccoon spin-off series after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is certainly intriguing to contemplate.