Anyone who has seen either of the Guardians of the Galaxy films will be more than aware that Groot - and Baby Groot - are two of the most goddamned adorable chraracters ever brought to life on the big screen.
However, director James Gunn made a revelation about Baby Groot - seen in the second film - on Twitter last night that may change how you view the entire film.
As Gunn became embroiled in a light-hearted debate about whether you would save the Porgs from Star Wars or Groot, he revealed the fact that the Groot from the first Guardians film is dead, and that Baby Groot is in fact, his son and not a younger version of him that had been 'regrown' or regenerated.
Here's how it played out...
which one do you save pic.twitter.com/u69RFGneRA
— Arielle Calderon (@Arielle07) February 27, 2018
Groot is not an animal! He's an advanced lifeform! It's easy!!
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 27, 2018
JAMES THE PORGS ARE MY CHILDREN
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) February 27, 2018
THEY ARE PENGUINS.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 27, 2018
James what if I save my son the Porg because Groot is perfectly capable of taking care of himself pic.twitter.com/bqBUIaVbu7
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) February 27, 2018
That answer is a cheat, as the question makes it clear whoever isn't saved dies. You just sacrificed the life of a thinking being who saved all life in the universe for a single bird.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 27, 2018
Look the death is implied but not guaranteed. This is an assumption.
You know what happens when you assume? You GET A THINKPIECE.A THINKPIECE, GUNN!
A THINKPIECEEEEEEE
— Ash Crossan (@AshCrossan) February 27, 2018
It's guaranteed! You can save one means the other one is NOT SAVED. You murdered Groot for a big-eyed pigeon.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 27, 2018
But you can grow Groot back, as evidenced in your film. Once you kill a porg, it’s gone.
— Ali Slate (@glittergeekali) February 27, 2018
First Groot is dead. Baby Groot is his son.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 27, 2018
Understandably, peoples' minds were blown:
Oh wow, thats a new one! Will we get any of that referenced in film? Is that why Baby Groots personality is so different from “first” Groot?
— Langley M(oraga) Neely (@LangleyMNeely) February 27, 2018
that does explain the angsty teen stinger, he *is* an angsty teen...
though I guess there's like some 'genetic memory' aspect since he seems to remember everybody in Vol2 (or maybe not maybe he just bonds with them on his own since they cared for him as a sapling???)
— Kim Hanley (@_kimhanley) February 27, 2018
He doesn’t remember anyone. He’s a baby but he’s been with them for two months.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 27, 2018
I know it's the truth but it hurts. https://t.co/sYXpU5PwW2
— Synthia T. (@synthiat) February 27, 2018
The internet is like Groundhog Day every time I point out first Groot died. Baby Groot has a different personality, a different body, no memories of adult Groot & adult Groot’s sacrifice actually meant something. New round of news stories & collective gasping again & again. https://t.co/gvx7c0g2fF
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) February 27, 2018
Imagine just fucking going on the internet and saying a bunch of fucking bull shit about how Baby Groot is actually Groot's son and Groot has been dead the whole time and thinking that's ok
— Ryan Broderick (@broderick) February 27, 2018
GROOT IS DEAD? BABY GROOT IS GROOTS SON? IS MY WHOLE LIFE A LIE? pic.twitter.com/iA6qZoDZWh
— sydney saw bp (@ffsmarveI) February 27, 2018
Oh my God. Baby Groot is an orphan. Star-Lord is an orphan. Peter is now Groot's version of Youdu. Dammit, @JamesGunn, you magnificent bastard.
— Donna Dickens (@MildlyAmused) February 27, 2018
Waitwaitwait
Groot... is dead?
Baby Groot... is a different Groot?
...I...I don’t even know what’s real anymore https://t.co/YryHnnpxdG
— Aliza Pearl 🇵🇷 (@AlizaPearl) February 28, 2018