The Rocket Raccoon Appreciation Thread

[QBComics]

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/Rocket%20Raccoon%201.JPG

You knew it was coming. :woot: It's everyone's favorite (and probably only) wise talking raccoon. Who do you think should voice Rocket Raccoon in the upcoming movie? Here's the concept of Rocket Raccoon from the Marvel panel along with the other team members.

http://blog.newsok.com/nerdage/files/2012/07/guardians.jpg

[obin_gam]

I always imagined his voice to be a sort of lighter (and younger) version of an angry Rutger Hauer. I dont think any kind of british cockney or alike would suit. Michael Ironside is also on my list :)
(http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000442/)

[Brainiac 8]

The fact that I am getting a movie with Rocket Raccoon...it just blows my mind. I cannot wait for this.

[superkong 500]

anyone seen this yet

http://blogdesuperheroes.es/wp-content/plugins/BdSGallery/BdSGaleria/8269.jpg

[Chewy]

Someone suggested Jason Statham and I think that's pretty bloody perfect

My other choice is Ian McShane

[Eddie Dean]

Bob Hoskins, baby.

[Colossal Spoons]

Statham would be awesome!

[Son of Coul]

Holy ****, I'd kill to see Statham as an ultra-violent talking raccoon. Awesome suggestion to whoever thought of that.

[Darthphere]

Ed Asner.

[dopemaster]

Ian McShanewould be amazing!

[louiebling$]

Statham is ****ing perfect I can hear him already :awesome:

[T"Challa]

Statham is ****ing perfect I can hear him already :awesome:

seriously..when i first read the suggestion, i literally froze for a few seconds..lol. It was one of the better "holy ****.....that's perfect" moments i've had. I had my heart set on Andy Serkis because of his Mo-Cap proficiency but Statham would be awesome.

[PWN3R]

Just thinking of this guy interacting with RDJ makes me cream. :awesome:

[Chewy]

seriously..when i first read the suggestion, i literally froze for a few seconds..lol. It was one of the better "holy ****.....that's perfect" moments i've had. I had my heart set on Andy Serkis because of his Mo-Cap proficiency but Statham would be awesome.
I want it to happen so much it hurts

[louiebling$]

Dammit..... Now if they cast anyone else I'm gonna hate it :csad:

[Darthphere]

What if they put Peter Dinklage in an Ewok costume?

[SuperFerret]

I would enjoy it greatly.

[Chewy]

That would be one badass Ewok

[Neo_3]

seriously..when i first read the suggestion, i literally froze for a few seconds..lol. It was one of the better "holy ****.....that's perfect" moments i've had. I had my heart set on Andy Serkis because of his Mo-Cap proficiency but Statham would be awesome.Serkis could do the co-cap, while Statham does the voice.

[louiebling$]

Dammit..... Now if they cast anyone else I'm gonna hate it :csad:

[Colossal Spoons]

Dammit..... Now if they cast anyone else I'm gonna hate it :csad:

Until they cast Vinnie Jones

[Tony Stark]

Statham is ****ing perfect I can hear him already :awesome:

Yes This!!!

[Fives]

Rocket Raccoon is cool.
http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/12/121503/2361359-__rocket_raccoon_380x600.png

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/5/58713/2318623-1335715242905.jpg

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/7/77199/1967870-cgo1_500.jpeg

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/3/33806/1643167-1_grootrocketracoon2.jpg

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/455659-rocket_raccoon_clint_langley06.jpg

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/77/320785-46444-rocket-raccoon.jpg

[Oberon sexton]

I'd love for Ray Winstone to voice (and mo-cap) Rocky.

[Spider-Vader]

Jason Statham would be awesome, but I'd die if they just got Greg Ellis back. He'd be cheaper too. :oldrazz:

[psylockolussus]

Can't wait to see Rocket Raccoon! I'm sure he's going to steal the show!

[Chewy]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0dtuinGBS1qckwxco1_500.gif

[Dark Raven]

Jason Statham would be awesome, but I'd die if they just got Greg Ellis back. He'd be cheaper too. :oldrazz:

I met Greg Ellis before, back when he was unknown. Well he still isn't exactly known, but back when he was in Starlight Express.

[Chewy]

He has the potential to be Disney's Yoda in terms of merchandise, if they pull him off just right

[misjuevos]

i liked the avengers painted blu ray covers so i made some gotg versions. click one to open it at 1920x1080

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/117/rocketraccoonandgrootsm.png (http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/9601/rocketraccoonandgroot.png)

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/1155/starlordsilhouettecompl.png (http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/1155/starlordsilhouettecompl.png)

[Chewy]

Nice work.

[cherokeesam]

I'm down with Bob Hoskins or Jason Statham voicing RR, but for some reason, I'm thinking that Joe Pesci's voice might be perfecter than perfect.

[Chewy]

Joe Pesci? Don't really know about that. He doesn't exactly scream badass

[Eddie Dean]

Have you not seen Gone Fishin'?

[chiefchirpa]

So will RR curse (PG-ish) a lot like Ted?

[Chewy]

Have you not seen Gone Fishin'?
No. Should I have? :oldrazz:

[Eddie Dean]

Only if you want to see the most irritating movie of all time.

[cherokeesam]

Joe Pesci? Don't really know about that. He doesn't exactly scream badass

Rocket Raccoon: "Do I amuse you? What am I, a clown? No, tell me: how the **** am I funny?"

[jaqua99]

Dammit..... Now if they cast anyone else I'm gonna hate it :csad:

you said that twice..like 15 minutes appart lol

[louiebling$]

you said that twice..like 15 minutes appart lol

Yea my phone froze during the day time I posted

[chronos]

I remember one of the first comics I ever picked up, when I was probably barely old enough to read it, was an issue of the Rocket Raccoon miniseries. It was the weirdest, craziest, most awesome thing I'd seen up to that point. I remember there was a talking animals, swashbuckling, laser pistols and killer clown-cyborg things... in space! I saw somewhere someone suggested Simon Pegg as the voice of Rocket. I whole heartedly support this. Great vocal ranges, great with accents, funny, and a good actor to boot. While the movie itself was garbage, I've caught parts of his performance from Iceage 2 or 3 or whatever, and he does great VO work.

[Eddie Dean]

I'd go with his buddy Nick Frost instead.

[Zinc Saucier]

Serkis could do the co-cap, while Statham does the voice. Serkis is also British and has a badass voice. There is absolutely no reason to dub him over, nor could I imagine him taking the part if he knew he would be.

What if they put Peter Dinklage in an Ewok costume? I know you said this as a joke, but it's actually far and away the best choice I've heard. Not in an Ewok suit obviously, but for both the voice and for the on-set motion-capture. Using an average sized actor to mo-cap such a small character would create a lot problems, one of which being the eye-lines. Some of that happened in Rise of the Apes. For example most of the time Caesar stood just as tall as James Franco (Serkis's real height) even though in real life most chimps are much smaller than that. Using a dwarf actor would help. And more than anything Dinklage just totally has the chops to pull it off.

And if they don't get a dwarf actor then honestly I think they should ditch using mo-cap all together and just make Rocket fully animated, like Yoda. But even then I really think Dinklage would be the best voice actor for the part. I can totally hear it in my head and it's just perfect.

[Chewy]

I think most of his animation would be done strictly on a computer anyway; humans can't really move like raccoons, even small humans. The mocap would be more for facial movements

[JB-the-Hunter]

I think most of his animation would be done strictly on a computer anyway; humans can't really move like raccoons, even small humans. The mocap would be more for facial movements

Rocket Raccoon doesn't really move like a Raccoon either... he moves like a human.

[Chewy]

Not really. Scurries around, stubby limbs, doesn't have close to the same bone structure, etc

[The Squirrel]

I think it would be cool to get an actual voice actor to play the part. Someone like Steve Blum.

[Chewy]

if you're gonna go with a real voice actor instead of a name actor, may as well give Greg Ellis a call

[chronos]

Seeing as how Rocket is going to be the spotlight stealer of this movie, I'd say we need a bigger name than a voice-over actor. Not to knock the talents of VA's, but an actor with wider recognition with the mass audience will help sell this movie better. Don't forget, this movie has several hurdle to overcome, namely that it is a mainly unknown franchise with fairly obscure characters (even among alot comic fans), and also, Star Wars and Star Trek not whistanding, space epics don't have the best track records in the box office. So if having a relatively famous actor do the voice over an unknown voice actor will bring more people to the movie, than I'd say it's a better choice.

[Darthphere]

Not necessarily. It's safe to say that Yoda steals almost any scene he was in the whole Star Wars saga. That being said, most people wouldn't know who Frank Oz is, let alone pick him out of a line up.

[Joeyjojo72]

I think Rocket actually does move like a Raccoon sometimes. His physiology is only slightly anthropomorphic, and I always got the impression from the comics that he walked like a human out of habit, but was more comfortable on all fours.

I hope they make almost exactly like a real raccoon, only a bit bigger, and with a straighter spine. It wont be easy to pull this off, which is why I think it will take lots of money and time to get him right. Otherwise you have Roger Rabbit.

[TheVileOne]

Jason Statham as Rocket is a stupid choice IMHO. I still like the idea of just using Greg Ellis. To me getting a big star JUST to voice Rocket is a pointless waste of time.

If you get Serkis to do it he does the motion capture AND the voice.

[JB-the-Hunter]

So... a Peter Cullen situation?

[Chewy]

Jason Statham as Rocket is a stupid choice IMHO. I still like the idea of just using Greg Ellis. To me getting a big star JUST to voice Rocket is a pointless waste of time.

If you get Serkis to do it he does the motion capture AND the voice.
And again, he's not an ape, he's not a humanoid, it's physiologically impossible for a human to imitate a raccoon's movement. He can't be mocaped the same way the Na'vi or the aliens from John Carter or Hulk was. And since Andy Serkis is now a 7-figure star of his own franchise, he's no longer the cheap work-for-hire he once was. His time is better suited going toward projects where his skills are actually useful, anyway.

You look to how ILM handled Yoda, that's how they're going to tackle Rocket. Maybe some facial capture, more specifically the eyes, will come from the actor.

[cherokeesam]

And again, he's not an ape, he's not a humanoid, it's physiologically impossible for a human to imitate a raccoon's movement. He can't be mocaped the same way the Na'vi or the aliens from John Carter or Hulk was. And since Andy Serkis is now a 7-figure star of his own franchise, he's no longer the cheap work-for-hire he once was. His time is better suited going toward projects where his skills are actually useful, anyway.

You look to how ILM handled Yoda, that's how they're going to tackle Rocket. Maybe some facial capture, more specifically the eyes, will come from the actor.

...Frank Oz muppet....? :yay:

[Chewy]

...Frank Oz muppet....? :yay:
That wasn't ILM's work :cwink:

[JAK®]

That wasn't ILM's work :cwink:
The puppets were still ILM's work weren't they? They haven't always been a CGI company.

[Chewy]

I believe Jim Henson and a few ILM makeup artists made the puppet. And then Henson suggested Oz be the puppeteer

[Mob1423]

Wouldn't it be hilarious if they chose Kevin Miller, the guy who does the voice of Sly Cooper? It will never happen, but if it did, I would laugh so friggin hard

[TheVileOne]

And again, he's not an ape, he's not a humanoid, it's physiologically impossible for a human to imitate a raccoon's movement. He can't be mocaped the same way the Na'vi or the aliens from John Carter or Hulk was. And since Andy Serkis is now a 7-figure star of his own franchise, he's no longer the cheap work-for-hire he once was. His time is better suited going toward projects where his skills are actually useful, anyway.

You look to how ILM handled Yoda, that's how they're going to tackle Rocket. Maybe some facial capture, more specifically the eyes, will come from the actor.
Gollum. Have a nice day.

[TikkiEXX]

well think we all agree he has to have a British and hopefully Cockney accent. after seeing him in Marvel Vs. Capcom i cant see him speaking any other way

[cherokeesam]

I wonder if PETA will object to the way they abuse raccoons in this movie. :o

[Chewy]

Gollum. Have a nice day.
Uh, Gollum is a humanoid? lol

[Joeyjojo72]

Yes, Gollum is a humanoid - at least he started out that way. Two long arms, two long legs, Hands and feet with 5 digits each. He's been put through the "ring"er so to speak, but hes basically a Hobbit, and Hobbits are little humanoids. Humanoid just means roughly human in shape.

Rocket, depending on the artist, can be somewhat anthropomorphic (like Bugs Bunny), or just a talking raccoon with clothes. Both approaches could work for the movie, but giving him a humanoid body with a raccoon head would be a mistake.

[Zinc Saucier]

well think we all agree he has to have a British and hopefully Cockney accent. after seeing him in Marvel Vs. Capcom i cant see him speaking any other way Am I the only one that really doesn't like that voice at all? I mean, I don't mind giving him a British accent, but that Cockney one in the video game and EMH is just so over the top and silly. People are already going to have a hard time taking the character seriously with him being a talking raccoon and all, he doesn't need some ridiculous cartoony voice too.

[TikkiEXX]

nah, pretty sure youre not the only one. just never really had a clue how he sounded and it stuck with me. dont think its all that cartoonish. think its actually pretty badass. but to me all Brits are cool. haha. and i thought he sounded pretty vicious myself. didnt seem cute in the least.

[Chewy]

He should have a Swedish accent :oldrazz:

[Smashlilman]

OMG its Rocket Raccoon!!!:hehe:
All he needs is a gun.
-JbJ-eljl0k

[Ultimatehero]

THAT! A live racoon with a gun. That'd be surreal and awesome if done right.

[Ultimatehero]

THAT! A live racoon with a gun. That'd be surreal and awesome if done right.

[Chewy]

OMG its Rocket Raccoon!!!:hehe:
All he needs is a gun.
-JbJ-eljl0k
I kind of want to punch that guy in the face... he's being pretty awful to that raccoon

[Pink Ranger]

He should have a Swedish accent :oldrazz:

No, a Canadian hoser accent.

"Geeez, Drax, get over 'ere ya goof, and help me scrap with 'dese evil roboots."

[Smashlilman]

I kind of want to punch that guy in the face... he's being pretty awful to that raccoon If he was being awful to that raccoon he wouldn't have any fingers. :oldrazz:

He's playing rough with it like a puppy.

[Spider-Vader]

Am I the only one that really doesn't like that voice at all? I mean, I don't mind giving him a British accent, but that Cockney one in the video game and EMH is just so over the top and silly. People are already going to have a hard time taking the character seriously with him being a talking raccoon and all, he doesn't need some ridiculous cartoony voice too.
I love it. It gives him a nice personality, it'd set him apart from the other characters who would probably have American sounding accents.

[Hordakfan]

Ray Winston is perfect for his voice and he's such a cool anthro just like Howard The Duck

[Ultimatehero]

I personally have no idea who the game voice is - but, he sounds a lot like Jason Statham, just an unknown Jason Statham. Maybe it's because I'm not too familiar with this other guy's voice. But, as someone just listening to it for the first time - as said - what's the difference between him and Statham really? I say use Statham and have him do motion capture as well - you've got a name, you've got an actor who can act alongside the other actors and give the effects team something to work off of, and although he's awesome to all of us who love action films I don't think he's that expensive either, just we think he would/should be.

[TheVileOne]

Game voice is Greg Ellis who also voiced him in the animated series.

Ellis also played Ensign Olsen in 2009 Star Trek :D .

[KangConquers]

I personally have no idea who the game voice is - but, he sounds a lot like Jason Statham, just an unknown Jason Statham. Maybe it's because I'm not too familiar with this other guy's voice. But, as someone just listening to it for the first time - as said - what's the difference between him and Statham really? I say use Statham and have him do motion capture as well - you've got a name, you've got an actor who can act alongside the other actors and give the effects team something to work off of, and although he's awesome to all of us who love action films I don't think he's that expensive either, just we think he would/should be.

Jason Statham can act?

[Darthphere]

I might be alone in this but I don't think Statham is that big of a name anymore.

[Chewy]

He's not a big draw anymore but he's still a big name, people generally know he is. And he's just such a specific actor, he only does the one thing, and that one thing happens to be exactly what Rocket does, with bigger guns. Statham as RR would be pitch-perfect stunt casting

[Darthphere]

Stunt casting nonetheless.

[Chewy]

Which is fine on a case-to-case basis. Samuel L Fury was stunt casting. Statham voicing the Statham Raccoon would be a good way of letting people know exactly who the character is

[DOO BEE]

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/3/33806/1643167-1_grootrocketracoon2.jpg



is this from a specific issue or just one off art?
i'm interested in reading it if it is a book.

[Star]

Am I the only one who's scared this guy is going to look completely ridiculous :huh:

[Chewy]

They nailed the green rage monster and the norse gods, the raccoon shouldn't be much trouble

[Star]

I guess for me it's just the idea of a giant raccoon that seems ridiculous... Norse Gods are at least vaguely human looking..

[Chewy]

He's not a giant raccoon though, he's a raccoon-sized raccoon. He just talks and has huge guns

[Star]

wait what. he's raccoon sized?!?!

okay, this is going to be adorable.

[Chewy]

Yeah he's a regular sized raccoon. And he's going to be awesome :up:

[JB-the-Hunter]

Well he's slightly bigger than your average raccoon

[Chewy]

Yeah, but real raccoons can be a little bigger too.

Here's a morbidly obese raccoon:
http://i.imgur.com/2OktP.jpg


He's generally intended to be raccoon-sized
http://i.imgur.com/5E5d7.png

[JB-the-Hunter]

Based on the concept art, his head is significantly bigger than the rest of the characters and his body is wider than your typical raccoon and more human-esque in stance/form.
http://cdn.bleedingcool.net/wp-content/uploads//2012/07/guardians-of-the-galaxy-concept-art-600x261.jpg

[Chewy]

Yeah but that's just concept art, not finalized designs. They also showed a separate piece of concept art featuring just Rocky, and he looked completely different.

[MarvelKnight]

Serkis could do the co-cap, while Statham does the voice.

Yeah, but Serkis is very capable of doing the voice too. I mean he did the mocap for Gollum but he acted it voice and all...

Statham does have a distinctive voice though. Clive Owen would be a solid voice too, imo

[zeptron]

Why do I have a feeling once people see Rocket Raccoon they aren't gonna take this movie seriously and are gonna think it's gonna be a children's movie? I mean when he was announced for UMVC3, people whom knew nothing about him beforehand thought he was a joke and kiddy like character. Some ignoramuses actually stated that he's the result of Disney buying Marvel even though he's been around since the 70s.

Apparently to some people audiences can accept 9 feet tall blue aliens, any of Star Wars, Harry Potter, LotR and so forth, but a 4 ft tall walking raccoon with big guns is their breaking point.

[OsGom]

I would have actually loved to have Bob Hoskins voicing Rocket before he retired. Sadly that boat has sailed. Clive Owens would be my alternate.

I worry that there is temptation to write RR as a running joke. The cute, formulaic, Disney animal companion. But I think that is totally the wrong way to go. They should write him as a deadly serious and formidable contributer to the team. I really hope they give RR the respect the character deserves.

[Joeyjojo72]

I just finished reading the 25 issue run of GotG as well the Annihilators limited series and theres nothing to suggest that Rocket has a British accent. If anything, he has a sort of generic American accent. None of the slang or cultural references he uses are anything but typical modern US American, so I dont get why everyone is so set on a cockney accent for him.

I have no interest in him having a think English accent of any kind. The fact that they used it in a video game, and in a couple eps of a cartoon, is completely irrelevant, and wont be a factor in their choice of voice actor. (I liked his characterization in EMH just fine, but not more than the comics)

They may end up settling on a British voice actor, but theres absolutely no compelling reason for them to do so. If they go by the comics, he will have a non-regional American accent, which is fine.

[Spider-Vader]

It makes him stand out & it sort of fits his personality. The badass guy with the British accent!

[MarvelKnight]

I would have actually loved to have Bob Hoskins voicing Rocket before he retired. Sadly that boat has sailed. Clive Owens would be my alternate.

I worry that there is temptation to write RR as a running joke. The cute, formulaic, Disney animal companion. But I think that is totally the wrong way to go. They should write him as a deadly serious and formidable contributer to the team. I really hope they give RR the respect the character deserves.

I hope that Disney doesn't interject themselves into the proccess..They should just leave Marvel to do what they do.

[Joeyjojo72]

Its a cliche and its not necessary. there are plenty of equally cliche american accents that are associated with tough characters (various ny accents, southern accents, "street" accents). No need to look to England for this. And Rocket and his ilk were created to be cute in order to soothe the patients in an insane asylum. Giving him Jason Stathan's gravelly voice would completely defeat the purpose.

So a "tough guy" voice doesnt really make any sense. And giving him a British accent of any kind is just random and unnecessary. If they go with that, fine. But nothing about the way the character has been written suggests this is necessary in any way. Clive Owen is fine as long as he uses his normal speaking voice and not some "tough guy" affect.

Weird that so many here have settled on a cockney accent. Just give him a "normal" voice, and let the voice actor establish the character based on a performance and not some stereotype.

[TheVileOne]

Because the cockney is what his media appearances have used and I think it works for the character. Gives him a bit more attitude. Like there's this raccoon and he talks with a cockney accent. It would I think maybe offset that he's this walking, talking interstellar avenging raccoon.

[Joeyjojo72]

the "media appearances" are miniscule. The video game isnt a factor and his appearance in EMH is like a few minutes at most. And of course this "media" is targeted at kids. The most extensive "media" appearances for Rocket are the comics, and hes definitely not using a thick English accent.

They need to start from scratch, and try a few different things before settling on a voice actor. Im confident they will test out many voices before they cast it, and theres no reason to think it will be cockney or even English. They have plenty of other options that would work.

[Chewy]

He's not written as a Brit but you have to admit RR calling people "wanker" just fits

[Joeyjojo72]

Maybe if Rocket was a character in Guy Ritchies R-rated remake of Who Framed Roger Rabbit it would.

Anyway, he won't be saying "wanker" or "jerkoff" or any other term that means "masturbator" so it doesnt really matter.

[OsGom]

It isn't necessary to make him a brit. Just how I always envisioned him. It's not a deal breaker however. Just as long as they don't make him cutest or dopey.

[Joeyjojo72]

Agreed. My image of him is based strictly on the comics, and it didnt even occur to me that he would have a Brit accent until I saw that Korvac ep of EMH. But I trust they'll make the right choice regardless.

[Spider-Fan83]

has he ever been mentioned or known to have an accent in the comics...

how do you write an accent, does he use a lot of English slang or something

[Chewy]

Colloquialisms, accenting of words, phrasing, etc

[Phantom X]

I kinda imagined Rocket with a Clint Eastwood style voice and a brooding no nonsense attitude. For the movie I picture a scene somewhat like the following:

BLAM!!!

Groot: Rocket! W-why did you do that! He was a CLOWN for cryin out loud!

Rocket: Couldn't be helped, he lunged at me and I had to make a split second decision. I don't have a problem makin the tough calls.

Groot: He was just handing you a balloon!

Rocket: Yeah, and I appreciate it. Let's go...

[Joeyjojo72]

For Groot that would be quite a mouthful.

[T"Challa]

I for one hope the cockney is present in full force. This is an interstellar racoon who pulls massive guns out of nowhere in combat. he is inherently a completely ludicrous over-the-top character and that's why he's awesome. The accent just helps with that out-there image and i love it.

[Chewy]

Do want :awesome:

http://i.imgur.com/mTBWP.jpg

[ericadawn16]

OOH! I want, too.

Hehe, it kind of reminds me of Coulson's gun.

[Son of Coul]

Mega awesome mug. Maybe I should get it early so everyone will ask me what it is and I'll explain it and it two years when the movie comes out and everyone loves Rocket Raccoon I'll look so cool for liking it first even though I only just learned about it when the movie was announced.

Yeah, that'll be my new dream...

[cherokeesam]

For Groot that would be quite a mouthful.

Yeah, really.

Groot has about the same level of vocabulary as "TIMMAYYYY!" from South Park.

[SuperSAINT]

Rooker Raccoon?

"Oh, yeah. Most certainly. I know that James Gunn is doing it. He is directing it, and he is re-writing it. He is a very loyal director. He is a very loyal writer, when it comes to working with people that he knows and loves. He really appreciates the efforts that each actor puts into these roles. And I would be very honored and pleased to work with James Gunn again...Whether it will happen or not, I don't know. But he is a dynamite guy, and we have remained friends ever since we worked together on Slither.

I haven't done much research on it at all yet. Because I don't know what is going to happen. I'm really crazy busy with The Walking Dead right now. But you know what? Write this up. Tweet the [frick] out of it. If the fans want me as Rocket Raccoon, Marvel will listen to you guys, I think, sometimes...Perhaps I will be lucky and blessed enough to go in there, and go at it with Mr. Gunn again, who knows?"

[marcvader]

Have the Geico Gecko play RR since so many of you want him to have a cockney accent.

[Specter313]

Walking Dead’s Michael Rooker Wants to Play Rocket Raccoon

Although Marvel’s Guardian of the Galaxy won’t go in front of the camera for a while yet, The Walking Dead actor Michael Rooker is making an early pitch to play a certain furry pint-sized tactician.

“I love raccoons,” the actor tells MovieWeb with a knowing laugh. “Raccoons are my friends!”

Rooker as the gravelly voice of the gun-toting Rocket Raccoon: He worked with director James Gunn on the 2006 horror-comedy Slither and again on the 2010 superhero comedy Super. “He is a very loyal director. He is a very loyal writer, when it comes to working with people that he knows and loves,” the actor says. “He really appreciates the efforts that each actor puts into these roles.”

And if the studio would require someone to don a form-fitting motion-capture suit for the role, Mark Ruffalo-style, Rooker has experience from his work on the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II. Clearly, Marvel needs look no further for Rocket Raccoon.

The actor concedes that his return to The Walking Dead this season as racist meth addict Merle Dixon leaves him little time for other projects, but he makes it clear he’d find room on his schedule for Guardians of the Galaxy.

“I’m really crazy busy with The Walking Dead right now. But you know what? Write this up. Tweet the **** out of it,” Rooker says. “If the fans want me as Rocket Raccoon, Marvel will listen to you guys, I think, sometimes. … Perhaps I will be lucky and blessed enough to go in there, and go at it with Mr. Gunn again, who knows?”

Officially announced in July at Comic-Con International, Guardians of the Galaxy is reportedly “about a U.S. pilot who ends up in space in the middle of a universal conflict and goes on the run with futuristic ex-cons who have something everyone wants.” Although the Guardians have boasted a large and changing roster over the past four decades, the concept art Marvel debuted at Comic-Con features Rocket Raccoon; Drax the Destroyer, the human resurrected in the body of an alien to combat Thanos; Groot, the extraterrestrial tree monster; Star-Lord, the interplanetary police officer; and Gamora, the most dangerous woman in the universe.

Part of Marvel’s second wave of films, Guardians of the Galaxy is set to open Aug. 1, 2014.

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2012/10/04/walking-deads-michael-rooker-wants-to-play-rocket-raccoon/

[Joeyjojo72]

Hmm yknow Rooker isnt the worst idea ive heard. Could work. Better than Stathan thats for dam sure. Frankly Im sort of hoping he has an American accent and not British. Theres a good chance he will have an accent, so ill just have to deal.

[Oberon sexton]

Ray Winstone is MY Rocket Racoon.

[CosmicCap]

Again I'll say Timothy Dalton for Rocket Raccoon, who better than a former Bond. I also had the idea of Harrison Ford not sure they could get him though.

[Boom]

Rooker Raccoon would be hilarious.

And awesome.

[Spider-Vader]

Its a cliche and its not necessary. there are plenty of equally cliche american accents that are associated with tough characters (various ny accents, southern accents, "street" accents). No need to look to England for this. And Rocket and his ilk were created to be cute in order to soothe the patients in an insane asylum. Giving him Jason Stathan's gravelly voice would completely defeat the purpose.


Yeah I don't think we'll be seeing or even hearing about Rocky's goofy ass origins. If we even hear about his origins, they'll most likely be changed drastically.

Even though I want the Cockney accent, I'd love for Rooker to play Rocky as well.

[Boom]

How about Bradley Whitford for Rocket?

[Joeyjojo72]

It would be incredibly awesome and hilarious if they did a flashback depicting Rocket's work in the asylum. Totally unnecessary but totally awesome. Fingers crossed.

And I'm pretty sure a walking talking raccoon with a bazooka will warrant at least a brief explanation of some sort. Showing it would be soo cool and bizarre, but it may not make the cut. i actually love the modern Rocket's origin story, at least the updated version.

I like Bradley Whitford, but I can't say that his "normal" voice makes me feel one way or the other. Does he do different voices? I suppose there are several good actors who could create a voice just for Rocket.

[TheVileOne]

Dalton doesn't have the right voice for Rockett. Too suave and cool. Racoon's been through some ****.

Michael Rooker could work. Bradley Whitford? Kind of a random choice.

[Moridin]

Ralph Fiennes.

Star Lord - "Leave it Rocket, it's an inanimate f***** object!"
Rocket - "YOU'RE AN INANIMATE F****** OBJECT!!"

[CosmicCap]

personally I think Dalton can do more than just suave I'd like to see what he could do with the role. He's actually pretty funny too which would def work.

[MessiahDecoy123]

Ian McShane please.

[KangConquers]

personally I think Dalton can do more than just suave I'd like to see what he could do with the role. He's actually pretty funny too which would def work.

I agree. I don't know why everyone wants him to sound like a Rugby playing British Thug stereotype.

[Joeyjojo72]

Lol Rooker sounds like hes been through too much ****. He may have to tone down his Rookeresque voice for Rocket. Same with McShane.

Im sort of curious about the process they're using to cast Rocket. Wonder if Joss/Gunn/Marvel already has somebody - or a type of somebody - in mind for the role. Movie stars or voice actors?

[MarvelKnight]

Ray Winstone is MY Rocket Racoon.

That would be awesome.

[Spider-Vader]

Lol Rooker sounds like hes been through too much ****. He may have to tone down his Rookeresque voice for Rocket. Same with McShane.

Im sort of curious about the process they're using to cast Rocket. Wonder if Joss/Gunn/Marvel already has somebody - or a type of somebody - in mind for the role. Movie stars or voice actors?

I'm thinking movie stars, how many voice actors are in big budget movies nowadays? Save for Cullen as Optimus Prime, but he's different.

[BigThor]

I'd love a scene where Rocket gets stared down by an enemy only for him to transform his pistols into HUGE guns.

Just like in EMH when Hulk gave Rocket a funny look right before Rocket did the exact same thing I said above.

[KangConquers]

I want Rocket to decapitate a clown. It won't happen, but that would make me so happy.

[MarvelKnight]

Lol

[Son of Coul]

I want him to do anything that'll make people go, "How did they get away doing that in a PG-13 movie?"

[KangConquers]

I want him to do anything that'll make people go, "How did they get away doing that in a PG-13 movie?"

http://x.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/2/b0/4bb5311b41656/detail.jpg

[Joeyjojo72]

Very cool. I really need to take the time to read the "classic" GotG stuff.

[JB-the-Hunter]

Rocket Raccoon is totally going to be the new Hulk to the audience.

[KangConquers]

Very cool. I really need to take the time to read the "classic" GotG stuff.

I've read everything Warlock I can get my hands on, which means I've also read everything with Gamora and most of Drax's stuff, a little Rocket, and a little Star-Lord. Definitely worth it.

[KangConquers]

Rocket Raccoon is totally going to be the new Hulk to the audience.

I really want to see Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon having a beer at some point, too.

[MrMen]

do we actually think RR will look like a raccoon and not soemthing a long the line of chewbacca?

[KangConquers]

do we actually think RR will look like a raccoon and not soemthing a long the line of chewbacca?

Groot is more of the Chewbacca of the Guardians of the Galaxy. I'm assuming Rocket will look something like the concept art that's in my Avatar.

[MarvelKnight]

If RR was a Wookie, I'd expect that. but seeing that he is a raccoon, they better not bastardize the character and just make him what he is. Gun-Toting bad ass with a british accent. lol oh and a raccoon

[KangConquers]

If RR was a Wookie, I'd expect that. but seeing that he is a raccoon, they better not bastardize the character and just make him what he is. Gun-Toting bad ass with a british accent. lol oh and a raccoon

That is the droid, I'm looking for.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvAsU847JT4/TueOFIJOmdI/AAAAAAAACuY/69tUtPsjF3I/s1600/rocket%252Braccoon%252Bdo%252Byou%252Bmind.JPG

[MarvelKnight]

Lion, Witch and Wardrobe did the whole talking animals just fine. They should look at the way that went about doing all that when it comes to RR. Add Outer Space, A Gun and a Guardians uniform and RR is easy as pie to do.

[KangConquers]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4chjjp1Ji1qzizmho1_1280.jpg

[MarvelKnight]

lol you're in rare form today kang. Love it. Looking into GotG material to read. I am a general fan but not nearly as in-depth as i'd like.

[KangConquers]

lol you're in rare form today kang. Love it. Looking into GotG material to read. I am a general fan but not nearly as in-depth as i'd like.

I'm off my meds. Enjoy it while you can.

[MarvelKnight]

Lol.

[KangConquers]

Bendis just referred to Groot and Rocket as the R2D2 and the C-3PO of the MU in an interview that was published on the 15th. I swear, I did not see that before I made the "Droids we're looking for." comment. :doh:

[TheVileOne]

Bendis is wrong. They are more like the Boba Fett and Darth Mall of the Marvel Universe. Rocket is Boba Fett.

[Dark Raven]

Anyone ever consider that Rocket Raccoon might only have as many lines as Hulk in the Avengers?

[Chewy]

Anyone ever consider that Rocket Raccoon might only have as many lines as Hulk in the Avengers?
No? :huh:

[Joeyjojo72]

I do think they are gonna have to limit Rocket's screen time because of budget/time constraints. Even if that budget is 200 million plus. Nailing the character will be just as difficult as the Hulk, if not more so, and the more you spend on one character the less you have for all the other absolutely critical stuff. I assume he will have more screen time than the Hulk did though.

[Dark Raven]

If they make him animatronic part of the time, then it could keep down their CGI budget.

[Moridin]

Yeah, mix of practical & CGI can work fine in this. Same for Groot, like Treebeard in LOTR.

[Spider-Vader]

Anyone ever consider that Rocket Raccoon might only have as many lines as Hulk in the Avengers?

No. Hulk is well known for being a dumb brute & not talking alot (though this isn't my preferred version of him). The few people who DO know about Rocky know that he's a wise cracking badass.

[TheAQU4M4N]

the first time ive heard of the GOTG is in Earth's Mightiest Heroes. I've heard Rocket Raccoon is fan favorite.

[BigThor]

No. Hulk is well known for being a dumb brute & not talking alot (though this isn't my preferred version of him). The few people who DO know about Rocky know that he's a wise cracking badass.

Truth :word:

[Smashlilman]

Rocket Raccoon and friends getting into Shenanigans.
-BBRulQFlsA

[Mr. Dent]

Michael Rooker is free to do Rocket Racoon now! lol.

[jacobed]

I actually prefer him to be British

[BigThor]

^ I agree, it's a big part of who he is in my opinion. :up:

So unless his american actor can do an amazing british accent I'd rather go with british actor.

[xeno000]

Bendis is wrong. They are more like the Boba Fett and Darth Mall of the Marvel Universe. Rocket is Boba Fett.

You mean Rocket is going to be built up as this cannon-toting badass for two acts, then be killed off like a candy-ass nobody by an alien antlion? :huh::huh::huh:

[Artistsean]

I think Bendis just meant that they are the sort of buddy element of the film, Rocket speaks for Groot and maybe they will add a little comedic stuff at times. I can see what he (I assume) meant.
I want Rocket to have the voice of a British awesome action hero, someone who at least sounds like it. With this cool voice. I was thinking (but not necessarily sold on it) that someone like Jason Stathum could do it, because he has played these unstoppable deadly characters, and it would be funny to have that voice coming out of a Raccoon.

[jacobed]

It'll definitely be humorous. Thats the one thing that saves most of the Marvel movies from being subpar.

[Blake II]

Jason Statham.

[JB-the-Hunter]

It'll definitely be humorous. Thats the one thing that saves most of the Marvel movies from being subpar.

wut

[jacobed]

Thor, Iron Man, Captain America all would have been eh without the comedy. Especially Thor as much as it pains me to say since I absolutely love the character and Hemsworth. Iron Man would have been completely screwed since the story was not very good of what little story there was.

[JB-the-Hunter]

Thor, Iron Man, Captain America all would have been eh without the comedy. Especially Thor as much as it pains me to say since I absolutely love the character and Hemsworth. Iron Man would have been completely screwed since the story was not very good of what little story there was.

wut

[Son of Coul]

:funny:

[Octoberist]

Jacobed is flat out entertaining sometimes.

[Dark Raven]

Jacobed is flat out entertaining sometimes.

wut

[misjuevos]

you want british, how about john hurt, or oldman. or maybe even hiddleston. give him something else, his voice is cool

[BigThor]

Thor, Iron Man, Captain America all would have been eh without the comedy. Especially Thor as much as it pains me to say since I absolutely love the character and Hemsworth. Iron Man would have been completely screwed since the story was not very good of what little story there was.

Lol especially since that is the area people on the internet complain most about THOR.

[CosmicCap]

Simon Pegg, Timothy Dalton, Vinnie Jones, Harrison Ford, and Liam Neeson are my faves for Rocket!

[ThePowerCosmic]

I still think Jim Carrey could do an awesome Rocket. I can easily imagine him being able to pull off Rocket's accent.

[mkilban2]

I still think Jim Carrey could do an awesome Rocket. I can easily imagine him being able to pull off Rocket's accent.

agreed. he is my favorite choice. I'm being very biased since I love Jim but I know he could pull off a serious RR with proper humor as well.

[ThePowerCosmic]

He's my favorite choice too. Ever since he was rumored for a possible role in this movie, I've been thinking about it.

[CosmicCap]

I'm good with Carrey the recent kick ass 2 trailer should be proof enough that he has range. Not to mention Eternal Sunshine.

[mkilban2]

I'm good with Carrey the recent kick ass 2 trailer should be proof enough that he has range. Not to mention Eternal Sunshine.

Kick Ass 2 trailer honestly sealed him as my choice. His voice in that trailer needs to be altered a bit and it's what I envision RR sounding like. And Eternal Sunshine is a great movie and great 'serious role' performance out of him.

[Joeyjojo72]

http://media.aintitcool.com/media/uploads/rocketraccoon_large.jpg

[BigThor]

He's my favorite choice too. Ever since he was rumored for a possible role in this movie, I've been thinking about it.

agreed. he is my favorite choice. I'm being very biased since I love Jim but I know he could pull off a serious RR with proper humor as well.

Same here, I'm a big fan of Jim Carrey and his range really is underrated. Besides it would bring a nice amount of star power to the film and the MCU in general.

http://media.aintitcool.com/media/uploads/rocketraccoon_large.jpg

I know they're going for fairly realistic, but I'd like for RR to be stockier and stand more upright.

[ThePowerCosmic]

Same here, I'm a big fan of Jim Carrey and his range really is underrated. Besides it would bring a nice amount of star power to the film and the MCU in general.



I know they're going for fairly realistic, but I'd like for RR to be stockier and stand more upright.

Exactly, Carrey would be the biggest name in the Guardians group if they got him. Unless they got someone bigger for Groot.

Yeah, and I'd like Rocket's head to be a little bigger as well. He looked perfect to me in the first concept art we got.

[TheAQU4M4N]

I'm sure this has probably been suggested but what about Chris O'Dowd for Rocket?

[BigThor]

Exactly, Carrey would be the biggest name in the Guardians group if they got him. Unless they got someone bigger for Groot.

Yeah, and I'd like Rocket's head to be a little bigger as well. He looked perfect to me in the first concept art we got.

Definately :up:

I agree about Rocket as well, he looked more like the Rocket we know and love in the GOTG banner.

[Joeyjojo72]

I like that they're making him more realistic. The concept art was cool, but now I'm sold on the idea of a perfectly ordinary raccoon who happens to be a tactical genius and carry a big ass gun. Its a more difficult approach but I consider this whole movie to be this crazy experiment so why not?

[ericadawn16]

It's going to be so awesome...but I don't want him having an American accent.

[BigThor]

I like that they're making him more realistic. The concept art was cool, but now I'm sold on the idea of a perfectly ordinary raccoon who happens to be a tactical genius and carry a big ass gun. Its a more difficult approach but I consider this whole movie to be this crazy experiment so why not?

Different strokes, for different folks

[KDM1986]

Well since Michael Rooker is Yandu I hope Jason Statham voices RR.

My top 5 to voice Rocket Raccoon.
1.Michael Rooker
2.Jason Statham
3.Michael Madsen
4.Bob Hoskins
5.Clancy Brown

[CosmicCap]

Out of your list Bob Hoskins and Clancy Brown sound the best

[KDM1986]

Out of your list Bob Hoskins and Clancy Brown sound the best

Yeah they all of interesting voices. It just occurred to me that it would be funny too hear Bruce Campbell's voice coming out if a raccoon!

[CosmicCap]

YES CAMPBELL! I loved hearing him in the Spider-Man games.

[KDM1986]

http://media.aintitcool.com/media/uploads/rocketraccoon_large.jpg

This is my BOOMSTICK!

[Megalith]

I wonder if they're going to make RR look "cute." It seems like he alone could get a ton of kids/females in the seats.

[Mr. Dent]

Gunn says he's going for a more "realistic" look for Rocket.

[ThePowerCosmic]

Complete with fleas.

[Slushy]

It's going to be so awesome...but I don't want him having an American accent.


This. After being spoiled by MVC3, he must have a British accent even if they didn't bring back Greg Ellis for star power reasons.

[Silvermoth]

What about Vinnie Jones? He's British and tough but he can have a bit of a laugh too.

It's funny, I never 'pictured' (for want of a better word) a British voice when I heard Rocket's voice before. I would be very happy to hear a British accent though!

[JerseyJoker]

I wonder how late into the process of this film they can get away with not casting Raccoon?

I would think that with the advancements of CGi and stuff, they don't just want someone to walk into a studio and do a voice, but want someone on set all dotted up like Braff in Oz or Serkis in Planet of the Apes doing the role with the actors.

[Joeyjojo72]

I actually think that Peter Dinklage would be great (sans the faux british accent).

[Silvermoth]

He was great in 'Death at a funeral'. Wonder if it'll clash with X-men: Days of Future Past though?

[KDM1986]

I wonder how late into the process of this film they can get away with not casting Raccoon?

I would think that with the advancements of CGi and stuff, they don't just want someone to walk into a studio and do a voice, but want someone on set all dotted up like Braff in Oz or Serkis in Planet of the Apes doing the role with the actors.

Even if someone does mocap doesn't mean that they will be the one to voice the character. So probably pretty late.

[ctsketch]

it was already stated that rocket won't be mocap anyways, no?

[Joeyjojo72]

yeah i think they want a naturalistic movement. not a human doing a raccoon impression.

[MCU]

David Tennant is the recent rumor for Rocket Raccoon. I would be pretty happy with that choice. His accent is pretty good for the role, I can just picture his exact voice from Fright Night as Rocket Raccoon and it sounds pretty good.

[pr0xyt0xin]

Sounds good to me.