'I'm Too Old': Marvel Star Says He's Officially Retired From His Beloved Guardians of the Galaxy Role as Rocket Raccoon

Renowned actor Sean Gunn has announced his official retirement from his iconic portrayal of Rocket Raccoon in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. After five feature films and a holiday TV special, Gunn revealed that he is now too old to undergo the performance capture process required for the role. The role of Rocket, voiced by Bradley Cooper, involves extensive crouching and pivoting, which Gunn believes has taken a toll on his physical well-being.

During a recent podcast interview, Gunn attributed his decision to retire to the physical strain of maintaining the "catcher's crouch" position for prolonged periods. While Gunn's knees are in good condition, he attributed his retirement to the effects on his feet and ankles over the years. Gunn expressed that if given the opportunity to return, he would likely be unable to meet the demands of the role.

As for Rocket's future appearances, Marvel has yet to release definitive plans for the franchise's future, though it has been hinted that the team may disband following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn's departure from the role leaves a void for the beloved character, and it remains to be seen if any of the other members will ever return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.