We reported mid-August that Vin Diesel was in talks to play the large tree-like alien Groot, in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy which has already begun filming. Today we finally have confirmation of that from Marvel. Complete with picture.
Aww. I can see the resemblance! Groot will actually be a CGI character though and Vin Diesel will be providing the voice. Here’s the official word from Marvel.
OFFICIAL: Vin Diesel to Voice Groot in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
The action star will lend his booming voice to Marvel’s epic Guardians of the Galaxy film!
Vin Diesel is Groot!
The star of the Fast and the Furious and Riddick franchises will lend his voice to Groot in Marvel’s live-action “Guardians of the Galaxy,” rounding out the team that includes Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Drax (Dave Bautista).
Featured in four of the six movies in the fan-favorite “Fast & Furious” franchise, Diesel has helped the series gross over $2 billion at the box office; and will reprise his role in “Fast & Furious 7.” Diesel’s most recent film, “Riddick,” the third film in the franchise that has so far earned a cumulative $267.3 million across the globe, debuted this year at the top of the box office. In addition to lending his voice to several video games, Diesel’s received great acclaim for his voice work in the celebrated animated film “The Iron Giant,” directed by Brad Bird.
In the far reaches of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, an unlikely cast of characters including Peter Quill, Gamora, Drax, Groot and Rocket Raccoon must join forces to defeat a cosmic force of epic proportions. Directed by James Gunn, the live-action “Guardians of the Galaxy” will take fans to new corners of the Marvel Universe when it hits theaters August 1, 2014, but in the meantime stay tuned to Marvel.com for the latest news as it breaks, including official casting, first looks and more!
In addition to “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on April 4, 2014; “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015; and “Ant-Man” on July 31, 2015.
Director James Gunn also had this to add on his Facebook page.
Guardians of the Galaxy starring Bradley Cooper, John C. Reilly, Karen Gillan, Benicio Del Toro, Glenn Close, Chris Pratt, Vin Diesel, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, and Michael Rooker is slated to hit theaters August 1st, 2014.
