This "catcher’s crouch" required Gunn to remain low to the ground, often supporting his weight on the balls of his feet while navigating complex sets and interacting with his much taller co-stars. Because Rocket is a character defined by his kinetic energy and rapid movements, Gunn could not simply remain static. He had to be able to turn, spring, and scramble at a moment’s notice, all while maintaining the perspective of a creature barely three feet tall. After ten years of this repetitive motion, the cumulative impact has become undeniable. "It hurts after a while," he admitted simply.
Gunn’s journey with Rocket began with the original "Guardians of the Galaxy" in 2014, a film that was considered a massive gamble for Marvel Studios at the time. The success of the movie turned Rocket into a household name, but it also cemented Gunn’s dual role within the franchise. Throughout the trilogy—including "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" in 2017 and the emotional conclusion in 2023’s "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3"—Gunn remained the constant physical anchor for the character.
However, his contribution to the Marvel Cinematic Universe was never limited to his work behind a digital mask. On-screen, Gunn also portrayed Kraglin Obfonteri, the loyal Ravager who eventually inherited Yondu’s powerful Yaka Arrow. This required Gunn to perform a difficult balancing act on set; he would often spend part of the day as Kraglin, wearing full costume and makeup, and the other part in a motion-capture suit as Rocket. In scenes where both characters appeared together, the logistical complexity for Gunn was immense, requiring him to play off of thin air or stand-ins while switching mindsets between the two very different personalities.
His filmography within the MCU is extensive, spanning some of the biggest cinematic events in history. In addition to the "Guardians" trilogy, Gunn brought Kraglin to life in "Avengers: Endgame," "Thor: Love and Thunder," and the well-received "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special." Across all these projects, his presence was felt either through the physical soul of Rocket or the evolving arc of Kraglin, who grew from a secondary antagonist’s henchman into a true hero and member of the Guardians team.
The conclusion of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" served as a natural breaking point for many involved in the franchise. The film focused heavily on Rocket’s tragic origin story, elevating the character to the role of the trilogy’s protagonist. For Gunn, the physical demands of the third film were perhaps the most intense yet, as the story required Rocket to go through a wide range of physical states, from his vulnerable youth to his eventual ascension as the leader of the new Guardians.
