As excited as fans are to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, once it hits theaters this spring, they’re also dreading the day it arrives as all signs are pointing to the trilogy-capping threequel closing out the cosmic hero team’s adventures in the most heartbreaking way imaginable. James Gunn is no stranger to killing popular characters in his movies, but his last Guardians film may just take the gold medal.
What’s more, it’s possible the latest trailer reveals the one who won’t be making it out the movie alive. Twitter user @HailEternal went viral for noticing an easily missed detail from Guardians 3‘s Super Bowl trailer that appears to confirm what might just be the oldest fan theory surrounding the film. Are you ready for this? ‘Cause if this is correct, then obviously this constitutes a major spoiler. OK, here goes…
The tweet includes a zoomed-in screencap from the trailer depicting a medical scan of Rocket’s body which, not only is lit up a worrying red color (the universal sign for “something ain’t right here”) but also features a white X marked across Rocket’s chest. Matching this together with shots of both Star-Lord and Mantis apparently in some kind of medical environment, looking down and screaming with rage and grief, and… Well, we all know how it looks.
As fans point out in the replies to the OP’s tweet, however, Marvel is no stranger to deliberately misleading audiences in its trailers, often either editing shots or even inventing them wholesale to throw fans off the track. Whether this is a smart assertion from folks too savvy to be fooled or the last-ditch attempt from Rocket lovers to deny the truth, only time will tell.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will unveil its secrets come its theatrical release this May 5.