The last time we saw Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy, he was being carried around in a little pot by Rocket. The Groot we’ve seen in the new trailers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a baby…more like a toddler, but nonetheless, he’s baby Groot! What does this mean for Rocket and Groot’s relationship this time around? When Collider visited the set of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, they asked Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige about Rocket and Groot’s roles in the new film.
Feige to Collider:
“They’ve got a reverse relationship this time.” Feige broke it down, “Whereas Groot was Rocket’s protector in the first movie, Rocket is Groot’s protector.” He added, “From the moment we were shooting and animating Rocket on Groot’s shoulder, we were saying, ‘Well, in the next one, you know, we’ll reverse it. In the next one, the other way around!’ [Laughs] ‘Wouldn’t that be cool?’ And that’s what we’re doing.”
We’ve already seen this in the trailer, and it’s definitely being well received. James Gunn went into more detail about Baby Groot and his role in the film. It all sounds like a good time to us, honestly!
Gunn:
“Baby Groot, he’s very different. He’s a unique little fella. And he’s pretty great in the movie, even though he’s not even there.” Gunn continued, “All the time Chris is like, ‘Goddammit, he’s gonna steal the f*ckin’ movie!’ [Laughs] You know, and it’s nothing, it’s nothing there! But he’s funny even watching, in the dailies we’re watching, and we got the guy on a stick and people are laughing. There’s something really cool about him. And he’s funny in the movie. He’s a little jerk too.”
Baby Groot being a little jerk and under Rocket’s wing is what the world needs. Good light-hearted humor. As for Rocket’s individual role in the film, it sounds like Rocket is going to be questioning whether or not being apart of the team is worth it.
Is Rocket going to have second thoughts about being part of the team? Gunn explained, “I relate to Rocket more than any of the other characters and this is really about Rocket coming to terms with accepting his place within a group of people, which probably seemed like a good idea for two seconds when they were kind of getting along and saving the planet, and now’s it’s like, he’s just not very comfortable with the idea with being a part of this group.”
Let’s hope that, despite Rocket’s team reservations, he ultimately decides to stay with the team! Based on the news that Rocket will be in Avengers: Infinity War, it looks like he will be staying.
What do you think about Rocket and Groot’s roles in their friendship reversing? Are you excited to see baby Groot being a little jerk? Let us know in the comments below! As always, we’ll keep you updated on all things Rocket and Groot!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters May 5th.