The trailers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hinted at a sad death, and the movie fulfills this with an unexpected twist.
In Phase 5’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, some characters meet their end, though not the ones most expected. This film is James Gunn’s final project with Marvel Studios and the last adventure for the original Guardians of the Galaxy team.
They unite once more to save Rocket by exploring his past. While many anticipated major deaths in this supposed final chapter, the movie’s release on May 5, 2023 brought some surprises.
Before the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in Phase 5 of the MCU, the trailers hinted at the possible demise of beloved characters like Star-Lord, Rocket, and Drax the Destroyer.
In the movie, the core members of the Guardians of the Galaxy face near-death experiences but manage to evade tragedy. Even though none of the original Guardians actually dies in their fourth solo MCU outing, James Gunn still bids a poignant farewell to the team.
None of The Main Guardians of The Galaxy Die in Vol. 3
Who dies in Guardians of The Galaxy 3? In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the movie opens with the reintroduction of the Guardians. Will Poulter debuts as Adam Warlock, seeking revenge on the team for their past betrayal.
Warlock attacks, injuring Nebula, Groot, Drax, Mantis, and Rocket, who faces a life-threatening situation. A kill-switch, placed in Rocket by the High Evolutionary, disables their med-packs, compelling them to save Rocket.
There are multiple moments where Rocket’s life hangs in the balance, even experiencing an afterlife encounter with Lylla, his childhood friend. Ultimately, Peter Quill and Gamora rescue him. Drax comes close to death in a battle with Orgocorp’s Sentries, and the Guardians face near-elimination during Counter-Earth’s destruction.
Star-Lord nearly freezes in space during a rescue mission but is saved by Adam Warlock. The Guardians survive without any deaths, although tension remains high throughout the film.
Lylla is Shot By High Evolutionary
Although none of the Guardians of the Galaxy met their end in Vol. 3, the movie carried a strong emotional impact due to the heartbreaking deaths it did depict. Flashbacks in the film delve into Rocket’s MCU backstory, revealing the experiments conducted on him by Chukwudi Iwuiji’s High Evolutionary and his close friendship with Lylla the Otter.
While fleeing captivity, Lylla is tragically killed by the High Evolutionary, sparking Rocket’s fury toward his creator and the Guardians’ escape. Rocket encounters Lylla in the afterlife but returns to his body, knowing his friends are waiting for him.
Floor & Teefs are Killed by The High Evolutionary’s Guards
Rocket, Lylla, and other experiments of the High Evolutionary are held in cages, including the rabbit Floor and the walrus Teefs. These four creatures share a strong bond, but sadly, Teefs and Floor meet their demise during Rocket’s escape attempt.
After Lylla’s death, Rocket retaliates against the High Evolutionary but is stopped by guards. Although Rocket eventually defeats the High Evolutionary’s henchmen, Teefs and Floor are shot by the guards. They appear in the afterlife, but Rocket’s time to join them has not yet arrived.
Ayesha & Humanimals Die in The Destruction of Counter-Earth
Elizabeth Debicki’s High Priestess Ayesha and the Sovereign people, introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, were revealed to be creations of the High Evolutionary in Vol. 3. Ayesha and her “son” Adam Warlock traveled to Counter-Earth to capture Rocket for the High Evolutionary.
However, Warlock ended up joining the Guardians of the Galaxy after his mother and the Animen population of Counter-Earth were killed in the planet’s destruction. This served as an origin story for the heroic Adam Warlock but also highlighted the tragedy of the High Evolutionary’s genocide against the species he had created for Counter-Earth.
High Evolutionary Survives The Destruction of His Ship
The High Evolutionary was an exciting addition to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Despite appearing to meet his end during the ship’s destruction, it would have been unfortunate to lose such a formidable MCU character. After his defeat by the Guardians, it was initially thought that he had perished.
However, James Gunn confirmed that the High Evolutionary survived Vol. 3 and is now imprisoned on Knowhere. In the film’s final moments, Drax is seen carrying the High Evolutionary’s body to Nowhere, leaving the door open for the complex and sinister villain to make a future return in the MCU.
Wrapping Up
In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, none of the main Guardians die. However, there are heartbreaking deaths of secondary characters, such as Lylla, Teefs, and Floor. The High Evolutionary survives despite a presumed demise and is imprisoned, setting the stage for his potential return in the MCU.
