Groot (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Groot
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
Forms of Groot as depicted in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) (L) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) (R)
First appearance	Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Based on	Groot by Stan Lee Larry Lieber Jack Kirby
Adapted by	James Gunn Nicole Perlman
Voiced by	Vin Diesel Fred Tatasciore (What If…?)
Motion capture by	Vin Diesel Krystian Godlewski Sean Gunn James Gunn Terry Notary
In-universe information
Nicknames	Tree Twig
Species	Flora colossus
Gender	Male
Occupation	Bounty hunter/Mercenary
Affiliation	Guardians of the Galaxy
Family	Rocket (adoptive father of second incarnation)

Groot is a fictional character voiced by Vin Diesel and portrayed in various forms and capacities via motion capture by Diesel, Krystian Godlewski, Sean Gunn, James Gunn and Terry Notary, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. A tree-like extraterrestrial humanoid known as a flora colossus, the character is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy and a close associate of Rocket in particular. The initial incarnation of the character sacrifices himself to save his allies during the battle against Ronan the Accuser at the climax of the first film, leaving behind a sapling which grows into a new Groot, colloquially known as "Baby Groot" and differentiated offscreen by James Gunn as the original's "son".^[1][2] Raised by Rocket as an adoptive son, the new Groot gradually grows to a similar size as his predecessor over the course of his next several appearances. He participates in the conflicts against Ego and then Thanos, falling victim to the Blip before being resurrected five years later by the Avengers and participating in the final battle against Thanos before departing for space with the Guardians. After the Guardians defeat the High Evolutionary, Groot continues to serve on the team, now under the command of Rocket.

The character's name is derived from either or both of two words: the Dutch groot, meaning big or great in size,^[3] or the noun groot, meaning mud, soil or earth.^[4] The origin of the noun, which is now obsolete except in dialect, was Old English.

As of 2024^[update], Groot has appeared in six films, the television special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and the animated series of shorts called I Am Groot released on Disney+.