It looks like the video footage of Vin Diesel practicing his stilt-walking technique on the set of Fast and Furious 7 wasn’t just a smokescreen. The rumor mill reignited when Diesel posted the image above to his Facebook feed early yesterday. Shortly thereafter, director James Gunn added more fuel to the fire by tweeting the following:
Vin Diesel is a super awesome dude. I can’t tell you how much I like this guy. http://t.co/5DGVcrEXFN
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 21, 2013
Finally, Marvel confirmed yesterday that the Riddick star will be voicing Groot, the living tree, in Gunn’s forthcoming Guardians of the Galaxy, which hits theaters on August 1, 2014. Much like a Pokemon, the only thing Groot really says in the film is, well, “I am Groot!” According to Gunn’s Facebook page, that is all Diesel will be saying, but he noted that, “It is completely official. AND he’s amazing. I never knew someone could say I AM GROOT so many different ways and with such feeling (and that sounds like I’m kidding but I’m not!)”
It does sound like you’re kidding, James Gunn, but I’m going to go ahead and place my faith in you anyway. What do you guys think of Diesel’s casting? Sound off in the comments below or whisper “I am Groot” to me on Twitter.
Image: Marvel
Looking forward to hearing the various emotional range that he can deliver the line “I am Groot.”
He’s perfect! He did an amazing job voicing The Iron Giant and giving him every level of emotion! Even more excited for this movie! T
I can’t wait for this movie. Diesel will be fantastic.
The Iron Giant is one of my all time favorite movies.
ALSO, that character model, presumably the one for the character in the film, just blows me away. DC seems to think their weird and goofy characters are only good for kicking to the curb or killing off for fun, and Marvel just keeps on showing how amazing these ideas and characters (from even the goofiest and weirdest comic properties) can really be. This character model is simply amazing. I can’t wait to see Groot and Rocket and the whole team in action.
Count me super-excited.
I’m not sure why, but I have a bad feeling about this movie.
“SUUUPERMAAAAAAAAAAN.”
There’s never any doubting The Iron Giant’s voice acting. Never.
For a few hilarious moments I was imagining Tim Gunn endorsing Vin Diesel as Groot.