Andy Park, renowned concept artist for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has shared some concept art from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 focused on the cybernetic experiments of the High Evolutionary.
On his Instagram, Park posted a series of images including both his own designs for the movie's animal characters, and life-sized models that were used for filming. The model for Guardians of the Galaxy protagonist Rocket Raccoon is wearing his team uniform and shown side by side with a model of Lylla, the otter from his past. Of these, Park said, "Best friends hanging out in our lobby here at Marvel Studios- Rocket & Lylla! Warms the heart." The remaining images highlight Lylla, Teefs and Floor, all three of Rocket's first companions, with the final one depicting Rocket himself as a baby raccoon who has just undergone his first modification. Details of the metal parts and scars on each animal are clear in the art, as well as the identification numbers that they wear as part of "Batch 89."
The High Evolutionary Is a Villain With Twisted Goals
The story of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 delves deep into Rocket's memories of his early life, in which he was subjected to repeated surgeries to change his body and mind from a normal raccoon into the bipedal super-intelligent character of the present-day scenes. Flashbacks revealed that the High Evolutionary, played by Chukwudi Iwuji, was attempting to create a new race for a perfet world, and that he performed his experiments not only on Rocket but on an otter, a walrus and a rabbit, none of whom survived.
Rocket is voiced by Bradley Cooper and brought to life by special effects based on the acting of Sean Gunn, while Lylla, Teefs and Floor are voiced and acted by Linda Cardellini, Asim Chaudhry and Mikaela Hoover, respectively. Some viewers have raised objections over the disturbing scenes in Vol. 3, which is rated PG-13, but Gunn has countered by pointing out the importance of drawing attention to animal experimentation and cruelty in the real world.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is written and directed by James Gunn in his last feature for Marvel Studios. The film stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Will Poulter, Pom Klementieff and more, some of whom are also making their final appearance in the franchise.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is in theaters now.
Source: Instagram