One of the most emotional moments in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was remarkably similar to a previous Marvel scene. While each movie in the MCU is distinctly unique, there is a general formula that most of the projects follow. Our heroes usually encounter a conflict that they can’t solve without some sort of learning curve, but once they do learn their lesson, they’re able to fight back stronger than ever. It makes for some fascinating parallels across the various MCU projects, with some moments drawing some very close similarities.

The Guardians of the Galaxy’s role in the MCU could not be more different than ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s. Besides the fact that ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool was only officially made part of the MCU recently, he is occupied with matters on Earth while the Guardians travel space. What both franchises excel in is the balance between their comedic and emotional moments, emphasizing the bond between the characters. ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2 features a very emotional reunion that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 comes awfully close to repeating, highlighting some of the similar emotional themes that run through the respective franchises.

ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2’s Afterlife Reunion Scene Is One Of The Most Emotional Parts Of The Whole Movie

Vanessa’s Death Guides Wade’s Actions

Wade’s fiancee, Vanessa, is killed very early on in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2 after one of ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool’s targets whom he failed to deal with breaks into his apartment. It sends Wade into a spiral of grief that drives most of his actions for the rest of the film. Wade eventually becomes involved with the X-Men, which leads him on a mission with the time traveler Cable. Wanting to kill an unstable young mutant named Russell to prevent him from becoming the serial killer who murders his family, ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool agrees to help.

However, he also feels the desire to protect the boy, which results in Wade eventually taking a bullet for him. On the brink of death, Wade is briefly reunited with Vanessa in the afterlife. He is extremely tempted to join her, but she insists that his time isn’t up yet and that his friends and allies still need him. The ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool franchise is built on humor, with Wade’s apparent death even being played for laughs. Having this genuinely emotional moment thrown into the mix made it hit so much harder, reminding the viewer of Wade’s heart.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Manages To Come Remarkably Close To Repeating ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2’s Afterlife Reunion

Rocket Reunites With His Friends In The Afterlife

There’s a character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 that also has an eye-opening moment in between life and death. The closing film of the trilogy featured Rocket as the focal character, diving into his tragic backstory and subsequent character growth. Fans already knew that Rocket was a product of some sort of experimentation, but the High Evolutionary’s cruel nature was finally revealed. For a moment, fans had some comfort knowing that Rocket had friends in three other experiments: Lylla, Teefs, and Floor.

In the group’s plan to escape, things go south when the High Evolutionary and his guards kill Lylla, Teefs, and Floor. Fans could finally understand the emotional burden that Rocket had been carrying all this time, as he felt responsible for his friends’ deaths. In a moment when Rocket is on the brink of death himself, he sees his friends in the afterlife and intends to join them. However, similar to the ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2 scene, Lylla reᴀssures Rocket that his time has not come yet, and that there are still people who need him in the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Why Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 & ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2 Sharing The Afterlife Reunion Scene Makes Sense

Both Humorous Franchises Needed An Emotional Moment

In both Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2, the focal character is shaped by the emotional loss of a loved one. While they’ve managed to find a newfound family in the Guardians and the X-Force respectively, they’re still reeling from the emptiness that their loved ones’ death left behind. Especially because Rocket and Wade felt like they were responsible for their loved ones’ deaths in their respective situations, the grief and guilt over time hit even harder.

Both films having an afterlife reunion was necessary to have Rocket and Wade accept their loved ones’ deaths. They were ready to accept their own deaths if it meant being reunited with their loved ones, not noticing that there were people in reality who still needed them. The afterlife reunion scenes were touching moments in two franchises known for humor, bringing their grief to the forefront of the plot. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 giving Rocket that emotional arc was truly what we needed from the character after three films, similar to how grief shaped Wade in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool 2.