A VFX artist from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has confirmed the fate of the MCU's High Evolutionary in James Gunn's Phase 5 film. Chukwudi Iwuji debuted as the High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, revealed to be the man behind Bradley Cooper's Rocket's cybernetic enhancements. The High Evolutionary is a major villain in Marvel Comics, so his debut in the MCU was very exciting, particularly as part of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team's final adventure in the MCU. However, his fate was left unclear at the film's end, as he was assumed dead in his exploding ship.

During an interview with Strip Marvel on May 18, 2023, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 visual effects artist Miguel Ángel Acevedo Montserrat confirmed a shocking revelation about the villain's fate. Montserrat worked on scenes that saw the Guardians of the Galaxy escape the High Evolutionary's ship with his animal prisoners but revealed that, instead of carrying an animal on his shoulder, Dave Bautista's Drax the Destroyer was actually carrying the High Evolutionary to safety. This confirms that the High Evolutionary survived the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Watch the video below (conducted in Spanish):

How The High Evolutionary Surviving Is Big For The MCU

While the High Evolutionary was initially thought dead at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the confirmation of his survival creates the opportunity for the villain to return in the MCU's future. In Marvel Comics, the High Evolutionary is a fantastic villain who plays a part in some massive storylines, so his continued survival in the MCU opens the door for some of these stories to be adapted into live-action. It could be assumed that Drax carrying the High Evolutionary onto Knowhere wouldn't have been included in the film if the villain wasn't expected to return at some point, though it's currently unclear when this may occur.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked a return to form for Marvel Studios, as the studio came under scrutiny over a range of Phase 4 projects. Part of the film's success has been attributed to Iwuji's performance as the menacing High Evolutionary, so the potential for the character's return is an exciting prospect. The High Evolutionary has ties to other high-profile characters in Marvel Comics, including the X-Men villain Mister Sinister, so his survival in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 creates the opportunity for him to become a looming presence in the MCU's future.