9-Year-Old Groot Mystery Answered In MCU Canon By James Gunn

James Gunn has once again clarified the MCU's biggest mystery around Groot, revealing the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 character's connection to the original version of the tree-like superhero. In 2014, Marvel Studios took a massive risk with the original Guardians of the Galaxy. Composed of relatively obscure characters, the cosmic heroes immediately became fan favorites, including Groot.

Gunn maintains in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 commentary (via The Direct) that "Swole Groot" isn't the same as the original Groot. Despite growing from one of the branches of his predecessor, the director insists that Guardians of the Galaxy saw the death of the speech-limited tree, and he has remained dead throughout all this time. This means that "Swole Groot" is an entirely different character. Read his full quote below:

“Here, we see Groot reconstituting himself. He’s growing back throughout the movie. Groot is, of course, now young adult Groot. Sometimes, we call him Swole Groot. He is Baby Groot in a youthful adult state and I think we start to see here really that this Groot is not the same Groot from the first movie."

"Many people believe that the first Groot was just reborn in this new shape. That is not the case. This is a totally different Groot than the first Groot. The first Groot sacrificed himself, and died, and gave birth to this Groot, who is not a genetic replica of the first Groot."

"I have reasons, in my mind, why that’s the case. I have a whole background for the character, but it’s probably not ever going to be shared. But he’s a different Groot.”

Swole Groot's Origin Contradicts "I Am Groot's" MCU Status

At the end of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, Baby Groot debuted, which has eventually become Teen Groot and now "Swole Groot." In an effort to capitalize on the character's popularity, Marvel Studios released the limited series, "I am Groot," which they claim is MCU canon. This, however, contradicts Gunn's statement, since the show features a scene of Baby Groot recalling the original Groot's sacrifice in Guardians of the Galaxy. For what it's worth, Gunn has been vocal against the notion, and this re-emphasizes that.

With Gunn already completing his Marvel stint via Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it's curious if there was any attempt to reconcile his and the MCU's contradicting views of Groot's fate. The director has long been forthcoming about not wanting to undo any kind of death in his films. So while Michael Rooker's Yondu appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it's only through Kraglin's vision. However, as he no longer has any creative control over the use of the rag-tag cosmic heroes moving forward, Marvel Studios can easily walk back on his principle.

Since "Swole Groot" will remain an active member of the new Guardians of the Galaxy team under Rocket's leadership at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it's safe to expect that he will be back in the MCU down the road. Whether Marvel Studios maintain its stance or eventually concedes to Gunn's explanation about his ties to the original Groot remains unclear, however. In any case, given the burgeoning multiverse, it wouldn't be that difficult to come up with a solution wherein both of their takes on the matter become canon.

Source: The Direct