Movies & TV / News

Rocket Raccoon Live Raccoon Model Passes Away

February 8, 2019 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris
Rocket Raccoon Guardians of the Galaxy Image Credit: Marvel Studios

A Guardians of the Galaxy Facebook account shared a message earlier today from Quinta Layla (via The Wrap), who announced that the live model for Rocket Raccoon in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films, Mr. Oreo, has passed away. You can read her full message below.

Layal wrote, “Our hearts are broken as we have lost our best friend, our Guardian of our Galaxy Mr. Oreo Raccoon. Oreo passed away in the early hours of this morning after a very short illness. Many thanks to our wonderful vets for their compassion and care.”

Previously, director James Gunn had mixed in rotoscoping and references with real animal models to create the performance of Rocket in the Guardians films. Oreo also made appearances at red carpet events for the film alongside James Gunn (see below).

The Rocket Raccoon character made his debut in Marvel Preview No. 7 in 1976. The character was inspired by the Beatles’ song “Rocky Raccoon.” He later joined the Guardians of the Galaxy for the team’s comic book relaunch in 2008, which was a major inspiration for the hit 2014 movie. The character of Rocket will next appear in Avengers: Endgame, which arrives in theaters on April 26.