In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, a twist ending involving Chukwudi Iwuji’s character, High Evolutionary, was initially deleted from the final film. Many fans assumed that High Evolutionary perished when his ship exploded. However, a crucial detail emerged, revealing Drax’s heroic act of saving him prior to the ship’s destruction. This moment can be faintly glimpsed in the released movie.
Canonizing the Deleted Scene
A deleted scene, which surfaced online after the film’s digital release, shed more light on the fate of High Evolutionary. In this scene, the villain is seen imprisoned on Knowhere, with Rocket being the one who incarcerated him. The question arises: Is this deleted scene considered canon?
James Gunn’s Confirmation
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 director, James Gunn, took to his Threads account to address the status of the deleted scene. When asked if the scene is canon, Gunn expressed his belief that it is indeed canon. He specifically mentioned the scene where Drax saves High Evolutionary while rescuing the animals, solidifying its significance within the film’s narrative.
The High Evolutionary’s Continued Existence
Considering that Drax is depicted carrying High Evolutionary over his shoulders in the final cut of the film, it makes sense that the character’s survival is now officially canon, despite being easily overlooked. While Gunn maintains that High Evolutionary remains locked up on Knowhere, Marvel Studios still retains the freedom to tweak certain details, as the scene did not make it into the theatrical release.
Canonizing Deleted Scenes
Typically, deleted scenes are not considered canon, as their inclusion may confuse the general audience, who may not have viewed these omitted moments outside of the theaters. However, there are instances where certain events from deleted scenes align with the overall storyline. An example of this is the revelation in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s deleted scene, which unveiled Peter Quill and Mantis as secret siblings—a detail that later played a role in the Holiday Special.
Chukwudi Iwuji’s Potential Return
Although the deleted twist ending involving High Evolutionary did not make it into the final film, fans can take solace in the fact that there is still a possibility for Chukwudi Iwuji’s character to return as the dastardly villain. Marvel Studios maintains the flexibility to revisit and expand upon his story in the future.
Watch the deleted twist ending scene from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 here:
Director James Gunn‘s confirmation of the deleted twist ending’s canon status in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 sheds light on the fate of High Evolutionary and enriches the film’s narrative. While deleted scenes typically do not hold canonical weight, this instance demonstrates the potential for certain details to align with the overall story. Fans can now appreciate the heroic act of Drax in saving High Evolutionary and look forward to the character’s potential future appearances. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is available for digital purchase, providing fans with the opportunity to delve further into the captivating cosmic adventure.