Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s trailers had promised at least one tragic death, and the movie delivers on this promise in quite a surprising way.

Several characters die in Phase 5’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, though perhaps not the characters that many would have been expecting. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked James Gunn’s final project with Marvel Studios, and the last ride for the original MCU Guardians of the Galaxy team, banding together one more time to save Rocket’s life by exploring his history. Billed as the Guardians’ final adventure in the MCU timeline, many expected Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 to feature several major deaths, which led to some surprise after the film’s release on May 5, 2023.

Prior to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s release as part of the MCU’s Phase 5, the film’s trailers appeared to tease the deaths of several beloved characters, including Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord, Bradley Cooper’s Rocket, and Dave Bautista’s Drax the Destroyer. Throughout the film, the primary members of the Guardians of the Galaxy come dangerously close to death several times, but always manage to avoid their tragic fates. Despite none of the Guardians actually dying during their fourth solo MCU outing (following The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special), James Gunn still delivered a bittersweet farewell to the original team.

None Of The Main Guardians Of The Galaxy Die In Vol. 3

The Original Guardians Team All Survive The Events Of The Movie

After audiences are reintroduced to the Guardians of the Galaxy in the opening moments of Vol. 3, Will Poulter makes his debut as Adam Warlock, fulfilling the Sovereign’s threat of revenge against the team after their betrayal in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Warlock attacks the Guardians, wounding Nebula, Groot, Drax, Mantis, and Rocket, with the latter finding himself on the brink of death. As he was created by the High Evolutionary, a kill-switch was embedded inside Rocket’s body that renders the Guardians’ med-packs unusable, forcing them to embark on their mission to save Rocket’s life.

There are several moments where it seems as though Rocket would lose his life in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, including one which finds him in an afterlife, interacting with Lylla, his childhood friend. Even so, Rocket’s life is eventually saved by Peter Quill and Gamora.

Drax comes close to death during a battle with Orgocorp’s Sentries, the Guardians are almost eliminated during the destruction of Counter-Earth, and Star-Lord nearly freezes to death in space during the rescue of the High Evolutionary’s experiments, though he’s saved by Adam Warlock. This means that no Guardians of the Galaxy die during Vol. 3, though tensions were high throughout the film.

Lylla Is Shot By High Evolutionary

Lylla’s Death Is The Emotional Core Of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

Despite none of the Guardians of the Galaxy meeting their demises, Vol. 3 was still very emotional, as the few deaths that were featured in the movie were heartbreaking. Flashbacks explore Rocket’s MCU backstory, including the experiments he was subjected to by Chukwudi Iwuiji’s High Evolutionary, and his early friendships, in particular his close bond with Lylla the Otter.

While escaping captivity, however, Lylla is shot and killed by the High Evolutionary, inciting Rocket’s anger towards his creator, and leading to the future Guardians’ escape. Rocket sees Lylla again in the afterlife, but soon returns to his body with the knowledge that his friends will be waiting for him.

Floor & Teefs Are Killed By The High Evolutionary’s Guards

Floor & Teefs Make Rocket’s Backstory Even More Heartbreaking

Along with Rocket and Lylla, other experiments of the High Evolutionary’s are also kept in cages, including the rabbit Floor and the walrus Teefs. The four creatures form a close bond, but Teefs and Floor also tragically lose their lives during Rocket’s escape attempt. After Lylla’s death, Rocket attacks the High Evolutionary, though he is soon interrupted by guards. While Rocket soon takes down the High Evolutionary’s henchmen, this isn’t before the guards shoot both Teefs and Floor. The pair is glimpsed again in the afterlife, but it wasn’t yet Rocket’s time to join them.

Ayesha & Humanimals Die In The Destruction Of Counter-Earth

Ayesha & The Humanimals’ Deaths Are A Crucial Part Of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3’s Plot

After first appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Elizabeth Debicki’s High Priestess Ayesha and her Sovereign people were revealed to have been created by the High Evolutionary in Vol. 3. Ayesha journeyed to Counter-Earth with her “son” Adam Warlock, in an effort to acquire Rocket for the High Evolutionary.

However, Warlock soon found himself joining the Guardians of the Galaxy after his mother and the Animen population of Counter-Earth were killed during Counter-Earth’s destruction. This acted as a strong origin story for the heroic version of Adam Warlock, but marked tragedy as the High Evolutionary committed genocide of the entire species that he had created for Counter-Earth.

High Evolutionary Survives The Destruction Of His Ship

The High Evolutionary May Return In The MCU

The High Evolutionary was an exciting addition to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and proved an effective and harrowing villains throughout the movie’s run. Although it seemed as though the villain died amid the destruction of ship, this has been revealed to not quite be the case.

After being beaten by the Guardians, it was believed that he had died, but James Gunn confirmed that the High Evolutionary survived Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and is actually imprisoned on Knowhere. During the final moments of the film, Drax can be seen carrying the High Evolutionary’s body onto Knowhere, creating the opportunity for the complex and sinister villain to return in the MCU’s future.