10 Movie Characters Everyone Was CONVINCED Would Die (But Didn't)

Given that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was marketed as the last hurrah for James Gunn and his ragtag band of heroes, it was a fair expectation that at least one or two beloved characters would end up on a morgue slab by film's end, right?

And in particular, with Gunn making it clear that Vol. 3's story was centered around Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), many fans had themselves absolutely convinced that he wouldn't make it to the end credits in one piece.

But alas, that thankfully turned out not to be the case, with Rocket not only surviving the movie but ultimately becoming the new captain of the Guardians, after Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) decides to leave the outfit and reunite with his grandfather back on Earth.

Better yet, despite the movie's frequently grim tone and general feeling of finality, not a single member of the Guardians team died, with even other speculated deaths - namely Drax (Dave Bautista) - not coming to pass.

In an oft-sad and upsetting film, the truly radical decision was letting everybody live, and what a smart move it was on Gunn's part.