Additional Coverage:
- Beloved Marvel Star Confirms He’s ‘Retired’ From Long-Running Role After 12 Years: ‘I’m Too Old’ (parade.com)
After more than a decade embodying Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, actor Sean Gunn has officially announced his retirement from the role.
Sean Gunn provided the physical motion capture for Rocket, the beloved character voiced by Bradley Cooper, from the first Guardians of the Galaxy film in 2014 through to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023.
In a recent interview on The Brandon Davis Show, Gunn explained that the demanding physical nature of the role led to his decision to step away, especially after turning 50 two years ago.
“Since I’ve turned 50 a couple of years ago, I am retired from playing Rocket,” Gunn revealed. “Not that they’ve called.
But if they did, I don’t think that I could do the motion reference anymore for Rocket. I think I’m too old.”
He clarified that the strain is less about his knees and more about his feet and ankles. “I’m in a catcher’s crouch, and I’m pivoting a lot on my points of contact with the ground.
I’m doing a lot of pivoting in my ankles and feet. And over the years, I think it had a little bit of an effect on my physiology,” he said.
Besides Rocket, Sean Gunn has also portrayed Kraglin Obfonteri, an ally and eventual member of the Guardians, throughout the series.
Following his extensive Marvel career, Gunn has shifted focus to the DC Universe, taking on roles such as Weasel and Calendar Man in The Suicide Squad (2021), G.I. Robot in Creature Commandos, and Maxwell Lord in Peacemaker.