In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, we learned that The High Evolutionary was responsible for Rocket's creation. One of the MCU's most despicable big bads, the final battle revealed Rocket had destroyed the villain's face when he escaped years earlier, a fitting punishment for Counter-Earth's creator.
However, when it came time to deliver The High Evolutionary's final punishment, Rocket Raccoon decided not to pull the trigger. Why? Because he's a Guardian of the Galaxy, of course.
We're assuming the threequel's primary antagonist died when his ship exploded, but actor Chukwudi Iwuji has now strongly hinted that not only did the evil scientist survive, but there may even be a deleted scene revealing his fate.
"Well, let me just put it this way. I'm hoping you'll see an extended version or maybe an alternate ending, you know, that we certainly did film," the actor teased in an interview with ComicBook.com. "I mean the whole point in Marvel is that unless you see someone die they haven't necessarily died and even if they do die what does that mean in the Multiverse, right?"
"But, the point is that Rocket doesn't shoot me. They make a point of saying why don't you kill him and he says, 'No, I'm not going to kill him.' And you don't actually see me go down with the ship. So, I'll just leave it at that."
If The High Evolutionary survived this encounter with the Guardians, it suggests Marvel Studios has future plans for him. Perhaps he'll come looking for revenge or, alternatively, target some of his other enemies from the comic books like the Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, or X-Men.
Given what an evil SOB this character was, it's almost a shame to think he lived, but Iwuji is a powerhouse talent we'd definitely like to see more of in the MCU.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is now playing in theaters.