What We Know So Far About Marvel's 'I Am Groot'
After being in oblivion and lost in the comics for almost 50 years, Groot, an alien invader shaped like a humanoid tree, returned to comics in Marvel’s “Annihilation” crossover event. The powerful and now cute character has become one of the most recognizable faces in the Marvel Universe. Groot was brought to life by the witty pen of James Gunn in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy and achieved worldwide recognition. By the movie's end, Groot sacrificed himself to save the Guardians, and a new Groot arose from one remaining sprout of the original Groot. An even cuter “Baby Groot” was born. The character has been featured in multiple Marvel films, such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder.
With its origins in animated shorts, Disney, the giant entertainment empire, greenlit a new series I Am Groot, consisting of 5 short episodes centering around Baby Groot. His new adventures will begin on Disney+ on August 10, 2022. From Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s post-credits scene, Groot is already a cursing, grumpy, video game-playing teenager. This means the episodes featuring Baby Groot will take place between the two Guardians of the Galaxy films.
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The series will follow Baby Groot’s funny space adventures and weird encounters across the galaxy. Even though I Am Groot is released at the end of Marvel’s Phase Four, the series itself takes place chronologically before the arrival of Thanos in the Marvel universe. James Gunn has been very clear about not taking the continuity very seriously as he expects each episode to be canon to the episode itself, and not beyond.
I Am Groot is directed by Kirsten Lepore, who serves as a head writer as well. Her previous work includes the Annie Award-winning episode “Bad Jubies” in the also weird, cosmical, and absurd Adventure time. It was filmed entirely in stop-motion, which meshes well with CGI animation. In a recent interview, Leopore said drew inspiration from her infant child’s adventures to give more life to Baby Groot. The series will show the growth of Baby Groot with its first episode, “Groot’s first steps,” reflecting that idea. Other episodes will be “The Little Guy,” “Groot’s Pursuit,” “Groot Takes A Bath,” and “Magnum Opus.” Writer Ryan Little also promises a lot of heart in each episode.
Each episode is estimated to be between three to five minutes long with little to no dialogue from the three-word protagonist. The animation will be mainly photorealistic, an art movement from 1960s to 1970s that uses real photographs as inspiration to make another media, such as painting, or drawings as realistic as possible. The series will be heavily inspired by comedian filmmaker Buster Keaton's silent films where, in Lepore’s words, “The inanimate object, always win.”
Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper are reprising their roles as the eloquent tree and its raccoon dad, respectively. James Gunn will serve as a producer for the series, making it one of his last contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he appears to be leaving after the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Check out the official trailer that was released during San Diego Comic-Con 2022 and catch the series premiere on August 10th on Disney+.
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Source(s): Variety, CBR, Comicbook.com