James Gunn introduced audiences to a new team of lovable misfits with 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy - featuring Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot. Each of these roles was filled with star-studded actors, even the CGI raccoon Rocket was voiced by Bradley Cooper, while Vin Diesel tackled the talking-tree Groot, even though he only had to read the one famous line: "I am Groot."
Five years have already passed since the team last enjoyed a solo entry with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but they've made plenty of appearances since then. The entire team joined the fight against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, and they will soon appear in Thor: Love and Thunder, before starring in their own Disney+ holiday special and blockbuster third outing. Groot's even getting his own series of shorts on Disney+: I Am Groot.
Having started off in his fully-grown adult form, Groot's sacrifice in Guardians of the Galaxy reverted him back to his baby form, and since then he has grown up into his adolescent years. Over the years, Groot has proven to be quite the fan favorite with fans of all ages, and the many iterations of the talking tree have presented Disney will endless merchandising opportunities, from LEGO to stuffed plushies.
Just as Groot prepares to make his return to screens with Thor: Love and Thunder, LEGO has revealed the first brick-by-brick interpretation of Vin Diesel's lovable Guardian.
LEGO Reveals Groot's First Set
The official LEGO store listed the 476-piece "I am Groot" set inspired by the Baby Groot design from The Infinity Saga.
The set is inspired by Baby Groot's famous dancing scene from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and as such comes with a LEGO replica of the Awesome Mix Vol. 2 tape.
Once built, the Baby Groot replica measures 10.2 inches tall and is heavily posable and highly detailed.
The Infinity Saga-inspired set even includes a plaque listing the height, weight, species, abilities, homeworld, and age of the talking tree, all of which are different variations of "I am Groot."
"I am Groot" will ship from August 1 and retail for $54.99.
Groot's Growing Role in Phase 4
Guardians of the Galaxy's talking tree has gone through countless iterations since his introduction, showcasing his adult, teen, and baby years. As fans have enjoyed seeing Vin Diesel bring these many versions to life on-screen, Disney has undoubtedly reaped the benefits as every redesign presents new merchandising opportunities.
LEGO's Groot replica takes its inspiration from the Infinity Saga, but he will soon step up his MCU role as he appears in four projects by next summer. These will include Thor: Love and Thunder, the I Am Groot Disney+ series of shorts, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and the long-awaited third installment of the blockbuster trilogy.
Most recently, Groot had an unexpectedly large part to play in the defeat of Thanos, as a chunk of his arm served as the handle for Thor's Stormbreaker weapon which was almost able to kill the Mad Titan - had the God of Thunder simply gone for the head that is.
Groot will make his next MCU appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder which hits theaters on July 8.
