James Gunn clarified whether or not Disney+'s upcoming I Am Groot animated series will be canon to the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Gunn, who has directed every entry in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, offered some clarification on whether the series of animated shorts should be considered MCU canon. "[I Am Groot episodes] are animated shorts so not necessarily part of the Guardians saga," Gunn tweeted. In a subsequent tweet, Gunn further explained that this means I Am Groot isn't necessarily canon to the MCU. "They're canon to themselves, I'd think," Gunn wrote.
In December 2021, Gunn confirmed the release window for I Am Groot and announced that the series would premiere sometime in 2022. The filmmaker confirmed at the time that he would be an executive producer for I Am Groot as well. Marvel Studios recently unveiled the first official promotional poster for the Disney+ series, which featured the titular Baby Groot enjoying some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
Along with the release of the poster and a confirmation of an Aug. 10 release date, the studio revealed that I Am Groot will consist of ten original shorts that will follow "Baby Groot's glory days growing up, and getting into trouble among the stars." First announced during Disney's 2020 Investors' Day webcast, Marvel Studios' I Am Groot will feature both "photo-real" animation as well as the return of Vin Diesel as the voice of Baby Groot.
Apart from reprising his MCU role for the Disney+ series, Diesel has several other upcoming projects in the works, including the fourth film in the Chronicles of Riddick series. Recently, Diesel shared a first look photo at the storyboards for the upcoming sequel. "Finally got a chance to see some of the new Riddick materials that [David Twohy] sent over," Diesel wrote. "Wow, exciting is an understatement. FURYA! Happy creative Sunday! All love, Always."
It's unknown if the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy besides the titular tree alien will appear in I Am Groot. However, the team will reunite in Thor: Love and Thunder, which releases in theaters on July 8. The Guardians will also star in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which Gunn confirmed wrapped filming in May. However, before the release of the third entry in the Guardians trilogy, the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is slated to premiere on Disney+ in December. According to Gunn, the Holiday Special is the "greatest thing" he's ever done.
Marvel Studios' I Am Groot premieres on Disney+ on Aug. 10.
Source: Twitter