Many of you will recognise Sean Gunn best for playing Kraglin in Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy movies, but the actor has actually had two equally important roles in the MCU since the beginning.
As well as his on-camera role, Gunn brings Rocket to life with motion capture (before Bradley Cooper takes over to lend the hero his voice) and has been an instrumental part in shaping that character and telling this story. Gunn is also the DCU's Weasel and G.I. Robot, though his non-comic book movie credits include the likes of The Belko Experiment, Give Me an A, Gilmore Girls, The Terminal List, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
We recently spoke to Sean about his MCU work and got the actor to break down many of his biggest moments in the threequel. He also shares his thoughts on Vol. 3's ending and post-credits scene, learning new behind-the-scenes stories and secrets along the way.
The actor also comments on the long-rumoured Rocket/Groot movie, the possibility that Vol. 3 wouldn't happen, his roles as Weasel and GI Robot in DC Studios' upcoming Creature Commandos, and the process involved with portraying Rocket on set. We also find out more about Kraglin's MCU journey and Michael Rooker's return as Yondu in both The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special and the latest movie.
You can watch our full interview with the MCU veteran in the player below.
You’ve shared this role with Bradley Cooper for such a long time, what did it mean to you to actually lend your voice to Rocket in those scenes exploring his tragic origin story?
Rocket is a character that’s really close to my heart and to me as an actor and performer. I think that one thing that makes Rocket unique is that it takes a team of people to create him. It’s not just any one person. It’s my brother James writing and creating the character, and the work I do on set before the visual effects team takes those pieces and puts them together. Obviously, they hand it off and Bradley is so magnificent at portraying the character we see on screen, putting it all together and making it pop. It’s so great. For me, it’s a reminder that art is a collaborative process. It’s never really just one person doing all of the work. I love being able to jump in and do my part, particularly for this third movie where we dig so deep into Rocket’s backstory and I lend what I can to make the character work was very special.
In terms of finding the right voice for the younger Rocket, what did that process entail for you?
I’m Rocket’s voice, but when we first see Baby Rocket, that is a very young actor. Then, there’s the whole sequence with what we call ‘Young Rocket’ where he’s on The High Evolutionary’s knee and he goes into the room and talks about what’s going wrong with the turtles. By the time we see Rocket the next time when he’s talking about the sky, that’s Bradley at that point. The interesting thing is I didn’t know they were going to use my voice! I’m always doing a voice as Rocket, so from the first movie, when I’m playing Rocket, I have the thing that I do. It’s just not used, which is fine, as I never expected it to be.
I’m just trying to give the actors something they can work with. For this movie, it was actually a surprise. I did work on the voice because I wanted him to sound right when we played the scenes, but it wasn’t until, honestly, a couple of months ago that they said, ‘Hey, we’re going to use your voice for those scenes.’ It was a surprise and I’m honoured that they did, but it goes back to what I said originally that it takes a team of people and you tend to do what works best and whatever the situation calls for.
There’s that now quite iconic photo of you working on the first movie wearing the green lycra and having your head patted by Dave Bautista, but how, if at all, has the process evolved since then and has it changed your approach to Rocket at all?
Fortunately, I don’t have to wear that green onesie anymore. We actually retired that not long after the photo you’re talking about was taken with me and Dave. That was fairly early in the filming process and not too long after that, they were like, ‘We don’t really need you to wear that green suit. You can just wear this tracksuit.’ For the subsequent movies, I’m wearing a much more comfortable great tracksuit in place of the green onesie. That’s one place where it’s changed, but for the most part, we’ve kind of stuck with what worked. We didn’t feel the need to do a lot of tinkering. It’s one of the reasons why we…once Bradley came into the process towards the end of shooting the first movie and we found that this weird process used where I was there to work with the actors on set and the visual effects team would be able to do what I did to create a rough draft of the character so Bradley can make it work and all pop. That’s what worked and that’s really what we’ve done.
It’s always a little different physically because there are always different physical demands on Rocket. I’m fortunate that I’m very limber and I can squat down and get to where Rocket needs to be. I always wanted the other actors, when they looked at Rocket, to be looking into a pair of eyes and not a ball on a stick or an empty space. I just try to get my face to wherever Rocket’s face would be in the scene, whatever it took to do that. That’s pretty much remained the same over six movies. Sometimes, it’s harder than others. When there’s walking and talking, it can be really challenging. That’s why I would say, from a physical standpoint, I’m going to have to retire as Rocket here. I’m going to be 50 pretty soon and some of the squatting and moving around is getting a little hard on my ankles and feet [Laughs]. I’m going to put that part of my performance to bed. It’s always a little different, but for the most part, the process has remained the same.
James has said that Rocket’s story is one that’s incredibly personal to him, so did that add any pressure for you or is the fact he’s your brother perhaps what made you even more confident you could do this arc justice?
Yeah, I would say that it made me more confident to go in and do the role. I knew from the beginning…every writer sees themselves in some way in all the characters they write because you put a little of yourself into everything, right? I also knew that Rocket was the one that, if James was a character, he was Rocket. So I think I felt like I had a better handle on at least getting the first crack at how that would manifest itself with these other characters. I don’t know if ‘pressure’ fits exactly, but if anything, I felt like a collaborator with James at that point. You’re always passing the baton to some degree. You write a script, and then once you cast them, you pass the baton over to them. With Rocket, he just needed to have an extra hand on the baton before passing it over to where it needed to go.
Chukwudi Iwuji is so incredibly hateful as the High Evolutionary and there are so many interesting and occasionally hard-to-watch scenes with him and Rocket; what was that collaboration like for you?
I love him. I think his performance is absolutely magnificent in the movie. It seems like it’s always the case with great villains, but he is the nicest, loveliest guy you’d ever want to meet. We’ve both been acting a long time, so you put that stuff aside when it’s go time. I don’t think it was hard to see him as being villainous when you’re really fully present and you’re watching him dip into the skin. Once he puts on that uniform where he’s the High Evo, it wasn’t hard to hate him because he was so good at it. Again, with Rocket, I’m just happy to be there for him. That’s most of my job. It’s to make his job easier and a lot of the time that’s what actors do, but particularly so in this because of how different it all is.
That incredible one-shot fight sequence aboard the High Evolutionary’s ship is jaw-dropping; what do you remember from shooting that?
You know, that is an example of a scene where what Rocket is doing in that sequence is so complex from an animation standpoint that they can’t really use me for any of it. I’m really only there right at the very beginning when the doors open and we’re heading in. From that point on, it’s like, ‘Sean, you can step aside from this.’ Rocket is all CGI during that entire sequence which is fun for me because then I just get to be a spectator. I didn’t even get to see that sequence until James showed me the dailies when we were in the middle of shooting. When I saw it…Rocket wasn’t even in there yet! I was able to be a member of the audience on that. I love the sequence.
At least you get to be part of that badass team shot of them walking together!
Oh, yeah! For sure.
The scene where Rocket declares himself “Rocket Raccoon” is such a triumphant moment for the character, but what did that moment of him accepting who and what he is feel like for you as the one bringing it to life on set?
Oh, it’s magnificent. That’s some of the most fun stuff when you get to deliver those movie gold lines. That was just so magnificent. Oh my gosh, it’s a whole lot of fun…we enjoyed that. That stuff really moves me. When he sees the word ‘raccoon’ on that cage and then he’s like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s me.’ It’s good stuff.
Rocket’s dynamic with Groot has always been such an enjoyable and important part of this franchise, and the moment they share that dance at the end of the film is so beautiful; it must have been a blast to touch on that again here?
Yeah. The great thing is is that James does all the dancing reference for Groot, so that moment at the end when Rocket and Groot are dancing together…that’s me and James doing it on set. Hopefully, one of these days, they’ll release it as a magnificent bit of behind-the-scenes footage of me and James doing that dance, and not Rocket and Groot. Hopefully, audiences will get to catch a glimpse of that someday.
Those were some great moves as Kraglin too, and I feel like I should ask who the better dancer is between you and James…I don’t want to create some sort or brotherly disagreement, though.
It’s me. I don’t know why he would ever have such a…he doesn’t want to get into a dance-off with me. That’s not going to go great for him. He knows it!
James has said he considered telling this story in a Rocket and Groot movie that I think at least started taking shape; was that something you remember doing much for and are you disappointed it never happened?
I think that, at some point, that was a possibility. There’s always a lot of different directions and a different vein to follow. Ultimately, you have to choose one. I’m proud that this really turned into a very complete trilogy and I don’t think there was ever really any work done on that. We talked about it.
In the movie’s mid-credits scene, we see Rocket leading a new team of Guardians, including Kraglin, so do you feel the door is open for you to return to the MCU without James to continue their respective stories?
I’d never say never. My job, as an actor, is to go where the stories are and do my best there. James and I have a great working relationship and I think, in some capacity, we’ll always work together when we can. We also don’t have to. If I’m working on something else, so be it. Just as he’s off working on something else. So, no, I don’t close any doors there. I’m always, particularly if Kevin and Lou are on the phone, I answer the call.
Talking of Kraglin, he’s so full of confidence in that stinger, do you think the way Quill trusts him to come in and save the day with Knowhere is a big part of why that is?
I do. I feel like Kraglin is really afraid of failure which is something we can all relate to. He’s afraid that he’s letting people down. He’s very driven by loyalty and being a good soldier and doing the right thing. In that way, he’s a good candidate to be a Guardian and step up and do the right thing. It was certainly fun to play, and I think he’s ready.
Getting to reunite with Michael Rooker as Yondu must have been a special experience too?
Absolutely. It’s always a great day to see Rooker on set. We give him a hard time, but he’s a magnificent actor and we also got to work together on the Holiday Special which we actually shot simultaneously with the movie. He was around for a little bit to do that stiff as well. I get to see Rooker a lot because we do conventions and personal appearances together from time to time and he’s just like a brother. Or a crazy uncle or something like that. He’s family one way or the other.
There are so many heavy moments in the film, so I really appreciated the "bad dog" subplot with Cosmo. How much did you enjoy exploring that back and forth with Maria?
It’s really great having Maria there. She’s such a gifted and giving actor. She’s up for anything and always there when Cosmo is there. Being able to work with her was really a joy and knowing that, in some ways, at least when she’s on set, she does some of what I do for actors who want to look at a pair of eyes. When I think of Cosmo, I think of Maria’s face which is funny. I hope she doesn’t mind [Laughs]. She’s so great and I’m glad Kraglin and Cosmo were able to work it out. I think there’s a lot of love there.
At the end of the credits, there’s that awesome photo of you all suited up together; what do you remember about the day you all sat down to take that?
It’s great. The whole process…there’s something bittersweet about it as there’s a sadness that sets in like, ‘Oh, this may be the last time I work with some of these wonderful, amazing people.’ It’s meant so much to me and my life and career. There’s also something really wonderful about creating something and then knowing you’re going to give it to an audience. You know it’s complete and you’re going to share it with the world because that’s what we do as artists. It’s all good memories and it’s more sweet than it is bitter.
And in terms of your final day on set, was that a particularly emotional experience?
For sure. Hearing other people give speeches was emotional, like Chris and Zoe saying their few words before James spoke at the very end. That’s always the most emotional part for me. It’s seeing it through the eyes of other people. So yeah, it was a little sad, but who knows…maybe there’s more.
The movies have created such a strong emotional connection with these characters that more than one of Rocket’s scenes in this movie had me in tears, but what’s it been like to see the way he and Kraglin have resonated with people?
That’s my favourite part of it. Seeing how much the movies have touched people emotionally and how the fans really respond and say, ‘Hey, these movies really meant something to me.’ Or even just, ‘I enjoy the hell out of these movies.’ That’s also valuable and so gratifying to hear. It’s one of the reasons I do go out and do conventions when I can. I meet fans at cons and hear what they have to say, hear what they liked most, and hear what their gripes are. It’s just really wonderful. We have to stay in touch with what the fans like and what they want to see more of. It’s a really, really important part of the job to stay connected with them.
Of course, we all spent so much time thinking Vol. 3 might not happen, had you come to terms that ending this story the way James wanted was off the table or did you always think the people in charge would eventually see sense?
I always wanted to be able to finish this trilogy and the movie, and share it. There was a time in there when I was like, ‘I guess that’s just it. We have to let it go.’ For me, the hardest part about that was exactly that: it was knowing that this script was finished and that it was so excellent and so emotional and such a great completion of the trilogy. The thought that it would never get told and be out there forever, with us never able to do it… was the hardest thing about it. It wasn’t the career stuff; I’m a character actor, I’ll go on and do my next thing. It was not being able to tell a story that should be told. That’s a mini tragedy of sorts, so I’m very, very grateful we got to finish.
Creature Commandos is on the horizon and you’ll be voicing Weasel and GI Robot; how much have you enjoyed returning as that character and playing a new one we may well see in live-action one day?
Yeah, I love that project. The scripts are so good and we’ve already been doing a little recording which is fun. I can hint and tease that we’re going to learn a little more about Weasel which is going to be interesting. I just love GI Robot so much. He’s driven by one thing and one thing only, which is his hatred of Nazis and his desire to kill as many Nazis as possible. So, for me, as somebody who hates fascism in all its forms, I can relate to somebody who wants to get out there and put the smackdown on some Nazis.
To have spent so much time working with James and now see him as the man in charge of the DC Universe, it must feel like quite the journey you’ve gone on together?
I would say that, being able to work with my brother and see how his career has evolved has been one of the greatest joys of my own career. We root for each other and, seeing how great the work is he’s been doing and being able to continue with has just been wonderful. I’ll always be there when he needs me for something and, when he doesn’t, I’ll be there in the front row rooting him on.
When Lylla tells Rocket "The story was always yours. You just didn’t know it," do you feel like that’s representative of your journey in a way given how important your work as both Rocket and Kraglin has become to this franchise?
Oh gosh, I don’t think the story was mine, but I do feel like it hits close to home when she says that because, to bring it back to what we were talking about earlier, Rocket is created by a whole team. Everyone has a hand in creating him to some degree, so the story being about the family and collaboration…I think that’s what’s true and that’s what I’ll keep with me going forward. Knowing that, anytime you’re trying to make a movie or television show and trying to tell a story, it’s about the other people you’re working with, the collaboration, and all coming together on the same page to do something good and tell something that’s worth telling. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.
This has been an incredible journey for you as an actor with roles in everything from this trilogy to The Avengers, Holiday Specials, and theme park rides; when you look back at your time in the MCU, what would you say your proudest moment is?
As an actor, the moment I’m most proud of is probably Kraglin’s response to the Ravager funeral at the end of the second movie. It’s my favourite thing to go back and watch and see what I’ve done. It’s really hard to single anything out. I’m proud of so much of it, and I really wouldn’t trade any of it, you know? I loved all the people I worked with so much. There was a moment when we were on the red carpet when the first movie was coming out. Hollywood Boulevard was shut down, the fans were going nuts, and it was the premiere of the first movie. James walked up to me and whispered in my ear, ‘I think we pulled it off.’ That’s personally a moment I’ll always really treasure. Again, it’s 10 years of my life with new friends and new things I’ve learnt. There’s so, so much, I could pull a great memory out of just about any single scene that you could pull from any one of the movies. There’s a lot there. I get to keep it all, it’s great.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is now playing in theaters. You can find Sean on Twitter @seangunn and on Instagram @thejudgegunn.