Marvel Studios/Quinta Layla/FacebookOreo the racoon, the inspiration behind Guardians Of The Galaxy character Rocket, has died.
Voiced in the film by Bradley Cooper, Rocket Racoon is a staple part of the Guardians.
He’s a feisty little creature who’s a master of orchestrating plans and helping translate Groot’s usual three words into more sensical comments, and he was more than willing to offer up his little paw to help his friends handle the strength of the power stone.
After appearing in Guardians Of The Galaxy and its sequel, Rocket went on to appear in Avengers: Infinity War and will next be seen in Avengers: Endgame.
But Rocket wouldn’t have been the same without Oreo, the real-life racoon who helped the clever animators behind Guardians capture and recreate the motion and behaviours used for the character.
Oreo appeared at the premier for Guardians Of The Galaxy in 2014, where he walked the red carpet on the shoulder of director James Gunn.
Sadly the furry animal passed away yesterday (February 7), aged 10.
Quinta Layla, the place in Portugal where Oreo was looked after, shared the news on Facebook, explaining he had died after a short illness.
The post read:
Our hearts are broken as we have lost our best friend, our Guardian of our Galaxy Mr Oreo Raccoon.
Oreo passed away in the early hours of this morning after a very short illness. Many thanks to our wonderful vets for their compassion and care.
Oreo you made so many people’s lives happy. You have been an amazing ambassador for raccoons everywhere.
It continued:
You loved all people of all ages and other animals too and were never phased by anything be it a walk down the red carpet as Rocket Raccoon, a trip to a hospice to visit a sick child or anything else that came your way. You just enjoyed everything and it showed.
It’s 10 years since you arrived in our lives. We had that phone call whilst in the theatre in London to say you had been born but could we have you now as your mother had no milk.
We chose you because you were strong and took the formula first little knowing then that you would be such an inspiring animal who would make people from all over the World happy.
We have only the saddest news today. Our hearts are broken as we have lost our best friend, our Guardian of our Galaxy…
Posted by Quinta Layla on Thursday, 7 February 2019
The official Guardians Of The Galaxy Facebook page also paid tribute to their star, writing:
Rest in Peace to Oreo the Raccoon, the real-life model for Rocket Raccoon. Oreo was also the Raccoon that went to the red carpet with GotG director James Gunn when the movie debuted in Hollywood.
Thank you for your awesomeness, Oreo!
Rest in peace, Oreo.
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