Guardians of the Galaxy writer/director James Gunn said that he and Marvel Studios disagree on whether or not Disney+'s upcoming I Am Groot shorts can be considered MCU canon.
In an Instagram Q&A session, Gunn was asked if I Am Groot was set in the universe of Earth-616/199999 or a different universe. "Some folks at Marvel seem to think it's canonically MCU," Gunn responded. "I find that hard to see myself."
Gunn has previously commented on I Am Groot's relationship with the MCU. In June, the filmmaker stated that the animated shorts are "not necessarily part of the [Guardians of the Galaxy] saga," as well as thinking that they're "canon to themselves." However, Marvel Studios' Head of Streaming, Television and Animation Brad Winderbaum has said that I Am Groot was MCU canon, and even clarified when the project took place in the franchise's timeline.
I Am Groot May or May Not Be MCU Canon
"It's a narrow window, right?" Winderbaum noted. "It takes place actually between the end of [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2] and before the tag scene in Guardians 2." Tying into Winderbaum's comments, a recently released poster for I Am Groot revealed that the shorts will explore how the titular Guardian of the Galaxy got out of the pot he was in following the team's first cinematic outing in 2014.
Marvel released an official trailer for I Am Groot in July. However, whatever levity the shorts bring to viewers may be in contrast to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as Gunn had stated that the upcoming movie will be darker than its predecessors. "[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is] big; it's so, so big and dark and different from what people might be expecting it to be," said Gunn, who added that he was aware that "the third film in most trilogies sucks," before adding, "not always."
While plot details for the movie are not yet available, it is known that Vol. 3 will have Chukwudi Iwuji play the High Evolutionary. Additionally, Peter Quill/Star-Lord actor Chris Pratt spoke highly of the film's script, saying, "I can say with utter confidence that [Gunn has] made a true masterpiece, and I just cannot wait for people to see it. It's James Gunn. He did all three movies, which is really rare and really special in the world of big box-office trilogies."
I Am Groot premieres Aug. 10 on Disney+.
Source: Instagram, via Reddit