Guardians of the Galaxy: James Gunn has no plans to bring back Yondu
By Erik Swann
James Gunn is adamant about not reviving Yondu in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has introduced a number of characters that have become fan-favorites within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of those would be Michael Rooker’s Yondu who met a heroic end in the series’ second installment. Of course, not everyone in the MCU stays dead, but James Gunn is sure Yondu will.
The director recently conducted a Q&A on Instagram, during which he was asked about a possible return for Peter Quill’s surrogate father. Gunn answered honestly by saying it wouldn’t happen, as he wants all of his films to have stakes:
"“Not to life no. If a character dies in my films they will likely stay dead. I think stakes are important.”"
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Introduced in the original 2014 film, Yondu was the leader of one group of the Ravagers, an interstellar group of space pirates spread across the galaxy. The Centaurian smuggler abducted young Peter Quill — later revealed to be done under Ego the Living Planet’s orders — but, instead of delivering the boy, he raised him as his own son and inducted him into the Ravagers. The two would still bump heads from time to time, specifically when it came to Quill and the Guardians’ hunt for the Power Stone.
Yondu’s role and his relationship with Quill would expand in the sequel in which the pirate would question his past actions and lifestyle. He later finds redemption by helping to defeat Ego and sacrificing himself to save Quill in the film’s third act.
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Michael Rooker, a frequent collaborator of Gunn’s, brought the classic character to stunning life, making it understandable why fans would want to see more of him. Nevertheless, Gunn’s decision to make his death stand is a good course of action. If Yondu were to return, it would undercut his emotional send-off. And despite his absence, his death will surely be felt in the third and possibly final installment.