Rocket is the genetically altered, cybernetically enhanced talking raccoon in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. He is introduced as a bounty hunter and weapons expert who travels with the tree-like alien Groot.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Rocket’s body and mind were altered through illegal experiments. Those procedures gave him enhanced intelligence, unusual physical abilities, and cybernetic modifications. His traumatic origin helps explain why he is defensive, sarcastic, and quick to reject being treated as an ordinary animal.
Rocket first encounters Peter Quill, Gamora, and Groot while attempting to collect a bounty on Quill. The group is arrested by the Nova Corps and sent to the Kyln prison, where their reluctant alliance develops into the Guardians of the Galaxy. His engineering skill and tactical ability become essential to the team.
A common mix-up is calling him “Rocket Raccoon” as though that were his full everyday name in the film. Rocket is the character’s usual name; “Rocket Raccoon” is his comic-book identity and a description he famously dislikes. Bradley Cooper provides his speaking voice in the film.