The Guardians of the Galaxy will be integral to the upcoming Avengers Infinity war and its sequel.
The battle against Thanos is likely to bring fans great heartache and some major shocks, with the directors promising that some characters will pay the ultimate price.
The latest casting news, however, suggest that one major star will not be involved.
Recent revelations from Guardians 2 director James Gunn reinforce this.
It seems impossible to see how Vin Diesel will be able to play Groot again.
After the beloved character sacrificed himself at the end of the first Guardians movie, fans were thriilled to meet baby Groot and Teenage Groot was introduced to hilarious effect at the end of Volume 2.
But Gunn categorically said: “Groot is dead” and Terry Notary has confirmed he will be playing Teenage Groot in Infinity War.
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Gunn explained: “Although I don’t necessarily think it’s obvious in Vol 1, it’s important to say that if you exploded and a little glob of you started growing into a baby, I would not assume that baby was you.
“I do think it’s more obvious in Vol. 2, as Baby Groot has a different personality than Groot, none of his memories, and is much, much dumber.”
Motion capture specialist Notary has been talking about his joy at taking up the role.
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Notary said: “Yes, I am playing teenage Groot. I’m having a blast with it. It’s really, really fun. I can’t say too much about him, but he’s coming of age, so you’ll see the teenager find a mentor to look up to and to model himself after.”
Diesel, however, is still listed on the cast information for Infinity War, as well as Notary.
Does this mean he will be seen in an original Groot flashback? Or will they use an altered version of his voice for the iconic many ways the new Groot will say his one and only word while Notary provides the physical references?