Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Finally Explains Rocket's Obsession With Stealing Prosthetics

The following story contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s running joke on Rocket’s obsession with prosthetics might be more than just a joke. In fact, it might be a sign of something even more tragic.

Throughout the MCU movies, Rocket consistently covets shiny body parts, like prosthetic legs and arms—whatever catches his eye. At first glance, it seems like another bizarre trait of Rocket’s, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 unveiled the root of Rocket’s obsession with prosthetics. We warn you: it’s a little heartbreaking.

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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was, hands down, one of the most emotional MCU movies ever thanks to Rocket. After years of playing the grouchy sidekick to Star-Lord and Groot, Rocket finally got the spotlight he deserved in GOTG3. Rocket’s back story finally came to light—and no way did anyone expect it to be that gut-wrenching.

In the flashbacks, we learn Rocket was experimented on as a baby raccoon by the High Evolutionary, a horrid piece of work that makes Thanos look like the tooth fairy. Rocket was subject to surgeries and experiments that were so painful that his first human word was, “hurt.” Cue the tears.

Photo by Marvel.

Some time in his youth, he befriended other victims of the High Evolutionary: the otter Lylla with the prosthetic arms, the walrus Teefs with surgically attached wheels, and the rabbit Floor with spider-like metal legs. See a theme here? All of Rocket’s friends had prosthetic limbs and parts as the High Evolutionary tried to “perfect” the anthropomorphization process.

While the four enjoyed their wholesome, trauma-bonding friendship, it wouldn’t last. Eventually, the High Evolutionary became furious that Rocket’s intelligence exceeded his own and ordered that his friends be killed. Rocket managed to save Lylla just in time, only for the High Evolutionary to shoot her in the back. A vengeful Rocket mauls his face like a true Raccoon, but Teefs and Floor were killed in the chaos as guards entered the scene.

In an instant, Rocket lost all of his friends and became the jaded grump we know him to be—with a peculiar obsession with prosthetics. The obsession was clearly his own way of dealing with his grief and trauma. If he couldn’t get his friends back, maybe he could get “parts” of them instead. Maybe it was his own way of keeping the memory of them alive.

Suffice to say, Rocket had the best story arc and character development among all the Guardians. Meanwhile, GOTG3 probably did more for PETA than PETA ever did. Volume 3 definitely didn’t intend to be “woke,” but we’re sure everyone who left the theater hugged their pets a little harder when they got home.

Catch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in cinemas now.