The Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy is a masterpiece of the superhero genre, with Rocket’s story playing out as one of the most well-thought-out and complete in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While each entry in the trilogy focuses on different parts and members of the GotG, Vol. 3 focuses on Rocket Raccoon.

However, despite Rocket Raccoon’s story only getting the spotlight in the final entry, it’s clear that parts of this concept were in place all the way back when the series started in 2014. And it’s these subtle details that help to make the movies so special.

Rocket’s Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 Story Provides His Full MCU Origin Story After 9 Years Of Buildup

Rocket Raccoon Took Some Time To Open Up In The MCU

Rocket became an integral member of the team back in 2014 when he and Groot joined forces with Peter Quill and the other misfit heroes. However, at these early stages, Rocket was primarily known for his aggressive tendencies, and his defensiveness.

But when Rocket’s story is brought to the forefront in GotG Vol. 3, it becomes much clearer why this is the case. The fact is, Rocket has been fighting against people who don’t believe in him, and use him, and hurt him, from the earliest moments he can remember. Having been raised under the supervision of the High Evolutionary, Rocket was neglected and abused.

For this reason, he was wary of anyone approaching him, and this came across in how standoffish he acted with everyone.

Guardians Of The Galaxy Contains 1 Major Reference To Rocket’s Origin Story Years Before We Ever Saw It

Rocket Had Hints About His Story Revealed At The Start Of The Trilogy

But for eagle-eyed fans of the MCU, there is a hint at an important aspect of his story that is highlighted in the original movie, nine years before Vol. 3. During the scene where each of the Guardians are being processed in the prison, brief descriptions about each appear.

And for Rocket, under the ᴀssociates section of this listing, it references Groot and Lylla. While Groot is obviously a part of the original film, Lylla would not have her story told until 2023, and that would then round out Rocket’s history.

Guardians Of The Galaxy’s Lylla Reference Makes The Trilogy Feel Even More Tied Together

James Gunn Had These Stories Mapped Out From The Start Of The Saga

This trilogy was both written and directed by James Gunn, who is well-regarded as an excellent storyteller and has gone on to lead the charge in building the DCU. Clearly, Gunn had some forethought about these characters.

He established a history and a backstory, and then when the sequels came out, building on the foundation laid out in the earlier stories, it felt like a perfect natural progression. Individually, the stories are strong, but together they form an incredible chain of events that expand on these wonderful characters and makes the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy all the better.