Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3’s Deleted Scene Featuring High Evolutionary Is Canon, Confirms Director James Gunn

Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3!

Guardians of the Galaxy ended as a trilogy with the latest movie that released earlier in May. In a heart-rendering movie packed with top class superhero action, we delved deep into Rocket’s story, and his connection with the villainous High Evolutionary. While the audience was expected to presume that the High Evolutionary was dead by the end of the movie, after multiple teases, a deleted scene was shared a few days ago which showed otherwise. James Gunn has now confirmed that the scene is canon.

James Gunn on GOTG Vol 3 deleted scene

In the final action sequence of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, we see Rocket choosing not to kill the High Evolutionary as he is stuck in the ship, vulnerable, almost in his final moments. Logic dictates, that Rocket left the High Evolutionary to die on the ship that was going down. However, the deleted scene from the end of the movie showed that the High Evolutionary was in fact brought aboard planet Knowhere, and was put in a lock up by Rocket.

The scene has the potential to change the course of the future of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, paving the way for more villainy from the High Evolutionary, and the comeback of the Guardians. The same has now been confirmed by GOTG 3 director James Gunn himself.

Responding to a fan who asked if the deleted scene is canon, the director said that he thinks its canon. As reported by The Direct, James Gunn wrote,

“I think it’s canon. It’s definitely canon that we see Drax saving him when they save the animals.”

With official confirmation that the High Evolutionary is still alive in the MCU, and GOTG 3 post-credits stating that Star Lord will return, how that’s going to happen is now the burning question. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 was supposed to be a send-off to the Guardians as they all proceed with their individual lives at the end of the movie. The movie also marked a blockbuster ending to James Gunn’s association with the franchise, before he moves on as co-CEO of DC.