James Gunn loves tackling tragic backstories in his movies. Here are 10 heartbreaking stories from his films that show just how much he loves adding a touch of tragedy.
10. Nina
Photo Credit: Gonzalo .H
Zoë Chao revealed in an interview with Bam Smack Pow that Nina’s backstory is just as heartbreaking as the other ‘Creature Commandos.’ It shows her strength and how hard she’s worked to connect with others. The episode will be emotional and strong.
9. Drax
Photo Credit: Everett Collection
Drax lost his wife and child to Ronan, and though he helped defeat Ronan, he never got to kill Thanos—Tony Stark did. Despite his deep pain, shown when Mantis read his emotions, Drax hid it behind humor. In the end, he found peace by becoming a father to rescued children.
8. Yondu
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
Yondu seemed like a harsh and bad father to Peter Quill, but his past showed his pain. Sold into slavery by his parents, he was freed by the Ravagers but later banished for helping Ego. In the end, Yondu raised Peter as his own and sacrificed his life to save him.
7. Bloodsport
Photo Credit: Warnes Bros.
Bloodsport’s fear of rats comes from a traumatic childhood, where his abusive father trapped him in a cage with starving rats. This backstory makes him more sympathetic. By the film’s end, he overcomes his fear and bonds with Ratcatcher 2 and her pet rat, Sebastian.
6. Starro The Conqueror
Photo Credit: Magma Productions
Starro, a powerful villain in ‘The Suicide Squad,’ was abducted and tortured for 30 years. His final words, “I was happy floating among the stars,” show his pain. The mini starfish he ejects are extensions of himself, and he feels everything his victims endure, including the Thinker’s cruel experiments.
5. Polka-Dot Man
Photo Credit: Schifty’s Blog
Polka-Dot Man is a sad character. He’s bullied for his powers and often feels defeated. He even wishes to die at one point. In the end, he becomes a hero, helping defeat Starro, and dies happily.
4. Peter Quill
Photo Credit: IGN
Peter Quill, or Star-Lord, had a tragic life. His mother died of cancer when he was a child, and he couldn’t hold her hand. He was then taken in by Yondu and the Ravagers. Later, he learned his biological father, Ego, caused his mother’s cancer. He lost both Yondu and Gamora, and this led to a breakdown when facing Thanos.
3. Weasel
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
James Gunn recently explained in a chat with Variety that the episode of ‘Creature Commandos’ featuring Weasel is the saddest thing he’s ever written. The episode reveals Weasel’s sad backstory. He accidentally causes a deadly event, and it leads people to see him as a threat. A chain of mistakes results in an explosion, killing many, with only Weasel and one girl surviving.
2. Nebula
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
Nebula had a painful past as Thanos’s daughter and assassin, which made her hate Gamora, though there was still some love. After reconciling with her, Nebula lost Gamora to Thanos and her friends to the snap. She later worked with the Avengers on Earth, got her friends back, and accepted a past version of Gamora, even though she wasn’t the same.
1. Rocket Raccoon
Photo Credit: Marvel Studios
Rocket had a hard life, taken as a baby for experiments. He made friends, but they were killed when he tried to escape. He lost Groot and his friends were snapped away by Thanos. After another attack, Rocket went into a coma. He later helped defeat the High Evolutionary.
