Vin Diesel Confirmed As The Voice Of Groot In Guardians Of The Galaxy

Roxanne Powell

Staff Writer

More big names are joining the cast of James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Vin Diesel was confirmed Saturday for the role of Groot, a giant tree entity.

This Disney space adventure will also star Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, David Bautista as Drax, and Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, among others.

Diesel has previously been involved in several voice projects, including many videogames and “Iron Giant”.

As well as having a small following in the voice-acting world, Diesel has earned his spot in the limelight with his film and television career. Previously on Parks and Recreation, Diesel has also starred in four of the six Fast and Furious films, and will be reprising his role for the seventh.

His most recent project, Riddick, topped the US box offices in September this year. That film marked the third time Diesel has played the anti-hero of the same name.

Marvel officially announced: “The action star will lend his booming voice to Marvel’s epic Guardians of the Galaxy film!”

Guardians director Gunn also commented on Diesel joining the team.

“Yep 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!).”

Guardians of the Galaxy will follow the adventures of a group of unlikely heroes who have to find common ground in order to save the known universe. Marvel described their task as “a cosmic force of epic proportions”.

Disney, Marvel, and James Gunn bring their team to your screen in Guardians of the Galaxy, in theaters August 1, 2014.