Michael Rooker, who plays Yondu in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, has revealed he'd be open to a MCU return, provided he doesn't play his original character. Rooker appeared as the Ravager in both the first Guardians movie and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Yondu was introduced as someone with complicated morals, having kidnapped Peter Quill/Star-Lord from Earth. However, it's eventually revealed Yondu saved Peter's life by kidnapping him, as Quill's father, Ego, would have killed him otherwise. As the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Yondu dies so Peter can live, with Quill realizing Yondu was the only father figure he really had in the process.

Yondu's death is one of the franchise's most emotional moments, as the Ravagers salute the character after his passing. In fact, director James Gunn recently joked the Ravager salute works as a coronavirus-friendly greeting. Gunn has also been very clear about his belief Yondu should stay dead in the MCU. He's gone on record several times about it, explaining that bringing him back to life would take away the stakes. However, Gunn has said Yondu could come back in a flashback or prequel situation, believing anything else "would nullify Yondu's sacrifice."

Related: Did Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Do Yondu Justice?

Now, it seems Michael Rooker agrees. Appearing on the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, Rooker discussed whether he would want to return for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as Yondu:

No way, I'm dead. I'm dead. My character is dead. I would play something else, I wouldn't mind. I would play something else, but why would I want to play Yondu? Yondu had a wonderful...amazing sendoff that you would ever want in cinematic Marvel history. My god, dude, why do you want to spoil that by bringing the character back now?

Rooker further stated he was "with Gunn," explaining, "There's consequences when you die, you're supposed to stay dead! What the hell you coming back for? Why are they bringing all these schmucks back? Give me a break. Move on, do another movie."

 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 Empire Photo of Yondu and Rocket Cropped

Though Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is still years away from arriving in theaters, it makes sense people are already excited about it. The first two movies were praised as departures for the MCU. Additionally, many of the characters appeared in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, reminding audiences just how entertaining the Guardians can be. Vol. 3 will also have to address Gamora's death in the present-day timeline, though a past version of her still exists. It's also likely some or all of the Guardians will appear in Thor: Love and Thunder, though even that movie won't be out until 2022.

Marvel fans are probably relieved to hear Michael Rooker feels the way he does about Yondu's return. It's good the actor agrees with Gunn on the importance of Yondu's death scene and the emotional weight it carries. It's interesting he's open to appearing as another character entirely. However, it seems more likely he'll return as Yondu in flashbacks, perhaps even in the next Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

More: The Actors Who Almost Played Star-Lord In The MCU

Source: Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum

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