Many changes are coming for Star-Lord and his intergalactic band of misfits inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, one of the biggest being Baby Groot. The end ofJames Gunn’s first Marvel film saw the talking tree with the heart of gold sacrificing himself, but emerging as a small, talking potted plant that’s since been dubbed Baby Groot. That’s where we’ll pick up with the character in the sequel, and voice actorVin Dieselsays it’s also a big mental shift.
During the press junket forBilly Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, we asked the actor about the biggest differences between the two Groot iterations. He said:
“Yeah, there is a difference. He couldn’t be more naive as Baby Groot. I always think of the Groot that we saw on the firstGuardiansas a college-level Groot, so he’s not fully grown yet, but he’s a man. And once he sacrifices himself at the end of the movie, now he has to start all over, so to speak, but we’re gonna see this goofy, adorable, baby Groot thing running around the screen and just learning as he goes.”
Marvel Studios presidentKevin Feigepreviously revealed to Colliderthat Baby Groot still has all the memories that Groot had, but according to Diesel it sounds like Baby Groot’s behavior might be a bit more playful.
The actor revealed this week onThe Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallonthat he’ll be recording his various Groot catchphrases in 16 other languages, something he told Collider he’s excited to be doing.
“I think people are gonna love this movie. I think people are gonna loveGuardians. I know that, on the first one, I, like, recorded six different languages, and now James Gunn wants to increase the number of languages we do this in. So, every ADR-ed line, every moment in the movie I have to do like 15, 16 times in different languages — which are cool because, you know, it means that my voice is being heard in countries where that’s not always the case, even with big movies that you do, likexXxorFast [& Furious]. It’s usually voice actors in respective markets that say your lines and that’s not necessarily what the character is always. So, I love that, but it definitely makes it that much more challenging.”
Diesel will voice the new (though, perhaps, not improved) Groot inGuardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2alongsideChris Prattas Star-Lord,Zoe Saldanaas Gamora,Dave Bautistaas Drax,Bradley Cooperas the voice of Rocket Raccoon, andKurt Russellas Ego the Living Planet (and daddy Star-Lord), among others. The film is scheduled for release on June 15, 2025.
Stay tuned for more from Diesel onBilly Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, in theaters November 11th. You can alsoclick herefor all ourGuardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.coverage.
