It can be difficult to market a movie in a way that attracts potential viewers, yet doesn't give away too much of the plot and the big beats. Because of this, promotional material has to straddle a fine line, and the end result isn't always successful — in fact, there are many trailers that gave away too much of the movie.
"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," on the other hand, takes a different approach. While the movie itself enjoys baiting the viewer with numerous close calls when it comes to character deaths, the trailers deceive the viewer in the opposite way when it comes to Lylla. Marvel fans might go into the movie with the knowledge that Lylla and Rocket have quite a happy storyline in the comics — definitely happier than what they get in the movie. As such, when the promotional materials see the adorable otter embracing Rocket or laughing on the floor, it's all too easy to take these fleeting moments of happiness as a sign of a happy reunion for current-day Rocket.
In reality, however, the movie takes a stark turn for the worse at the moment that happy hug from the trailers happens. Barely a second after this familiar moment, the High Evolutionary ruthlessly shoots Lylla in the back and proceeds to mock Rocket. As if things weren't already bad enough, Floor (Mikaela Hoover) and Teefs (Asim Chaudhry) perish in the chaos that ensues from the shooting and Rocket's attack on the High Evolutionary, leaving the enhanced raccoon well and truly alone in the world.
Sure, Lylla is a relatively minor character in the grand scheme of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, her influence on Rocket's life, the shocking circumstances of her death, and the immediate, face-ripping devastation Rocket unleashes in retaliation add up to one of the most impactful death scenes in the franchise.
