Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 debuted one of the MCU’s most cruel villains, Chukwudi Iwuji’s High Evolutionary, who almost had a different ending.

Actor Chukwudi Iwuji addresses a question about the High Evolutionary’s ending in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Iwuji’s High Evolutionary was revealed to be one of the most cruel villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it was great to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s cast of heroes band together to defeat the evil scientist. While the High Evolutionary was defeated at the end of the film by the Guardians, Rocket Raccoon chose not to kill the villain, and the movie did not reveal the High Evolutionary’s fate after that decision.

Speaking with Comicbook.com‘s Phase Zero podcast, Iwuji teased that the High Evolutionary was not part of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s deaths, revealing that there is an alternate ending for the James Gunn movie.

According to the actor, the production “certainly did film” an alternate ending sequence for the movie, which appears to have been where the High Evolutionary’s fate would have been revealed. If the villain did survive the ordeal, it was likely for the better not to include that scene in the film, as it could have undercut Rocket and the Guardians’ celebration at the end. Check out the full quote below:

“Well, let me just put it this way. I’m hoping you’ll see an extended version or maybe an alternate ending, you know, that we certainly did film. I mean the whole point in Marvel is that unless you see someone die, they haven’t necessarily died and even if they do die what does that mean in the multiverse, right? But, the point is that Rocket doesn’t shoot me. They make a point of saying why don’t you kill him and he says no, I’m not going to kill him. And you don’t actually see me go down with the ship. So, I’ll just leave it at that.”

Could The High Evolutionary Return In The MCU?

Iwuji’s words certainly seem to point to the High Evolutionary’s work in the MCU not being done, especially with the actor remarking that “the whole point in Marvel is that unless you see someone die, they haven’t necessarily died.” The High Evolutionary was going down with his ship, but as the character’s fate was never revealed on the big screen, it appears likely that the MCU’s cruel villain will return for another go in the future.

While Gunn will not be back for another film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s post-credits scenes did tease the future of Marvel’s cosmic team. After the original Guardians disbanded at the end of the film, Star-Lord named Rocket the new captain of the team. The movie’s first credits scene showed who is on Rocket’s team, with Groot, Kraglin, Cosmo the Spacedog, Phyla, and Adam Warlock — with his pet Blurp — out on a mission. The second credits scene ended with the reveal that Chris Pratt is coming back, with a title card that read “The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return.”

If the High Evolutionary is really alive, then it is only a matter of time before the villain resurfaces. With the multiverse soon becoming endangered by the evil Council of Kangs, the High Evolutionary could be connected to them, either as a Kang variant or another villain choosing to join the evil multiversal team. The new Guardians of the Galaxy could then catch wind of the High Evolutionary’s reappearance, joining the Avengers to save the multiverse. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s alternate High Evolutionary ending could then be brought back for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.