It seems like a minor fight, but it is a very interesting debate. This August 10th the animated shorts miniseries premieres I’m Groot, with the tender and brave little tree as the protagonist, and although Marvel Studios seemed to include it in the Cinematic Universe (MCU, for its acronym in English), there are doubts about whether or not it is canon to the MCU.
“The I’m Groot series of shorts follows the glory days of Baby Groot as he grew up and got into trouble among the stars.”, summarizes the official synopsis of the program, which will have five episodes, all released on Wednesday the 10th.
During San Diego Comic-Con 2022, the Marvel Studios panel explained that I’m Groot will cover several special moments from Groot’s childhood, although they did not clarify if it is from moments before Guardians of the Galaxy or is the Baby Groot that appears after the confrontation with Ronan.
This small series will have a second season, something confirmed during Comic-Con, already in production and that could be released next year. So if the plans with Groot are medium term, it should be canon. Nope?
Gunn Pulse – Marvel by I’m Groot
On whether I’m Groot is a canon of the MCU, the director of the three Guardians films and the next Christmas special of this irreverent band, James Gunn, thinks that the adventures of the little tree in his miniseries “They’re not necessarily part of the Guardians saga, they’re canon just to themselves.”
However, Brad Winderbaum, vice president of production and development at Marvel Studios, quoted on Marvel’s website Espinof, he told comicbook.com just the opposite.
In fact, it places I’m Groot in the timeline between the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol, 2 and the first post-credits scene of the tape.
“It’s a tight window, right? It’s that moment where Groot is in a post-baby stage of development… and it was something that James Gunn was excited about. James knew of Kirsten Lepore’s work (director of I’m Groot) and was excited to work with her as well.Winderbaum added.
Gunn is the executive producer of I’m Groot and may have a cameo of sorts, as does Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). The truth is that this animated series, whether canon or not, was produced to entertain the marvelite public.