(Image courtesy of Marvel Studios)
After the third "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie brought the franchise’s current chapter to a close, director James Gunn left Marvel to take charge of the DC Universe. Dave Bautista also confirmed that he was stepping away from Drax for good. Now, another cast member is retiring his role: James Gunn’s younger brother Sean Gunn (pictured right below), who served as Rocket Raccoon’s on-set motion-capture performer throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
(Image courtesy of Marvel Studios)
In a recent interview, the 52-year-old Gunn revealed that years of crouching to play Rocket caused permanent damage to his feet and ankles, making it physically impossible for him to continue in the role. “Everyone thinks it’s my knees, but it’s actually my feet and ankles because I have to stay in a catcher’s squat and constantly pivot with my feet planted. My feet and ankles had to do a tremendous amount of turning. Over the years, I think it took a toll on me physically. My knees are fine, but after I turned 50 a few years ago, I decided I wasn’t going to play Rocket anymore. Marvel Studios hasn’t contacted me about coming back, but even if they did, I don’t think I could provide Rocket’s motion reference anymore. I’m too old.”