Vin Diesel to be part of Marvel’s ‘Guardian of the Galaxy’

MANILA, Philippines – It’s confirmed: Actor Vin Diesel will indeed be part of Marvel Studios’ upcoming outer space science-fiction film “Guardian of the Galaxy.”

He will voice the character of Groot, a hyper-intelligent tree-like creature, in the science-fiction film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name.

Diesel joins Bradley Cooper (as Rocket Raccoon, a genetically-engineered expert marksman raccoon), Zoe Saldana (as Gamora), Dave Bautista (as Drax the Destroyer), and Chris Pratt (as Star-Lord).

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“Guardians of the Galaxy” was first published by Marvel in 1969, although the film will adapt the comics’ 2008 reiteration. It will be the 10th film to be produced by Marvel Studios, following April 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

It will be one of the two films from the film studio that’s still not part of the current Marvel Cinematic Universe, the other being 2015’s “Ant-Man” starring Paul Rudd.

The “Fast and Furious” and “Riddick” franchise star was first rumored to be part of the “Guardians of the Galaxy” film when he announced last year that he was in talks with Marvel Studios for an undisclosed role.

Many speculated he would play Thanos, the character teased in the post-credit scene of the 2012 movie “The Avengers.”

“Guardians of the Galaxy” is set to hit theaters August of next year.