Sean Gunn 'Retires' as Guardians of the Galaxy's Rocket Raccoon, Revealing the Role's Painful Reality

Sean Gunn has revealed he considers himself 'retired' from physically playing Rocket Raccoon after years of performing the character in a demanding crouched position affected his feet and ankles.

The actor, who provided on-set motion reference for the Marvel character, said he does not think he could perform the role again if asked, citing the physical demands of maintaining the position while repeatedly pivoting on his feet and ankles.

Physical Toll of Playing Rocket Raccoon

'Everyone thinks it's my knees but it's really my feet and my ankles,' Gunn said on The Brandon Davis Show.

'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 added.

Gunn made the comments while discussing his time in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, where he provided on-set physical and motion reference for Rocket, whose character was brought to life through CGI.

He explained that the role required him to spend long periods in what he described as a 'catcher's crouch', with repeated pivoting contributing to the physical effects he described in his feet and ankles.

'Since I turned 50 a couple of years ago, I think I'm retired from playing Rocket,' he said. 'Not that they've called, but if they did, I don't think I could do the motion reference anymore for Rocket. I think I'm too old.'

Gunn's comments refer to Rocket's physical performance and motion reference, rather than his voice. Bradley Cooper provides the character's voice, while Gunn has supplied the on-set physical performance for the role.

Why Rocket Raccoon Was Physically Demanding

Gunn's motion-reference work required him to perform Rocket from a low position, which he described as a 'catcher's crouch'.

He said repeatedly pivoting on his feet and ankles over the years had 'a little bit of an effect' on his physiology, while adding that his knees were 'fine'.

The physical performance was part of how Rocket came to life on screen, alongside visual effects and Bradley Cooper's voice performance.

Gunn Played More Than Rocket in Marvel

Gunn's connection to Guardians of the Galaxy extends beyond Rocket. He also plays Ravager Kraglin, who became a member of the Guardians after the death of Yondu.

He appeared as Kraglin across the Guardians films and other MCU projects, while also providing Rocket's physical reference. His brother, James Gunn, directed the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy.

Gunn has since expanded his work into DC, including roles in The Suicide Squad and Creature Commandos, as well as Maxwell Lord in Superman and Peacemaker.

What Happens to Rocket Raccoon Next?

Gunn's comments do not mean Rocket Raccoon has been retired by Marvel. He said Marvel has not contacted him about returning, but his comments do not indicate that Rocket himself has been retired.

The character remained part of the Guardians story at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, where Rocket became leader of a new Guardians line-up.

For now, Gunn's comments only establish that he does not expect to provide Rocket's physical motion reference again, rather than confirming the character's future in the MCU.