The filmmaker revealed where Chukwudi Iwuji’s character is now. <\/p>
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director James Gunn has shed light on the fate of the High Evolutionary<\/a> (Chukwudi Iwuji), who served as the principal antagonist of the trilogy\u2019s final film.<\/p>\n The character has quickly become one of the most reviled in the entire MCU, due to his penchant for animal cruelty, which involved shockingly inhumane experiments on countless species \u2013 including raccoons.<\/p>\n As a result, some fans were disappointed when his fate was left ambiguous by the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ending<\/a>, with Rocket refusing to kill his former tormenter, whose ship is later obliterated in a ball of flame.<\/p>\n Was he still on board when that happened? The question was posed to Gunn himself via Twitter<\/a>, and the filmmaker revealed that the High Evolutionary did indeed survive the events of the film.<\/p> In MCU canon, the High Evolutionary is currently \u201cimprisoned on Knowhere\u201d, Gunn said, referring to the head of a dead Celestial that has served as the Guardians\u2019 base of operations in recent years.<\/p>\n In response to a fan who questioned this decision, the director explained that Rocket\u2019s sparing of the High Evolutionary is a key part of his journey as a character, but doesn\u2019t signify a \u201ccode against killing when it\u2019s necessary\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the whole culmination of Rocket\u2019s journey,\u201d he wrote. \u201cHis shift comes in that he doesn\u2019t kill him \u2013 he goes from being the least empathetic to the most empathetic Guardian. It seems silly and hollow that he\u2019d refuse to kill him and then leave him on an exploding ship.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n The creative, who is parting ways with Marvel to co-chair rival DC Studios, added that the High Evolutionary\u2019s survival is more clearly depicted in a deleted scene.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cIt\u2019s really great actually but it messed up the pacing of the end. But you\u2019ll see it in the extras eventually.\u201d<\/p>\n It is open to speculation whether this confirmation will pave the way for Chukwudi Iwuji reprising the role in a future project.<\/p>\n Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3<\/a> brings an end to this generation of the galactic superhero team, with cast members Zoe Saldana (Gamora) and Dave Bautista (Drax) currently adamant they won\u2019t be reprising their roles.<\/p>\n Following the disappointment of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania<\/a>, fans were relieved to see this latest Marvel blockbuster receive a positive reception from critics, while the box office takings have also been strong so far.<\/p>