This Is The BEST 'Guardians Of The Galaxy 2' News

I think we can all agree that Groot was one of the best parts of last year's monster hit, Guardians Of The Galaxy. So it's great news that Vin Diesel will be reprising his role as Groot, the most lovable, monosyllabic alien tree there ever was, in Guardians Of The Galaxy: Vol. 2. The news was confirmed by writer/director James Gunn on Facebook.

Of course, to anyone who's seen the first GOTG, this might be surprising news. After all, Diesel's Groot didn't exactly make it to the end of the movie — he sacrificed himself for his friends. Though he was eventually replanted as an adorable, dancing baby tree, it wasn't clear whether or not baby Groot would sound like... well, Diesel.

It's still unclear whether Diesel will create a new voice and play a baby Groot, or if during some time jump, Groot grew up to adult adorable alien tree. Either way, though, it doesn't matter: Diesel, is a sparkling gem of a human being who went above and beyond to get into the character of the sentient tree by recording "I am Groot" in multiple languages — and wearing stilts while doing all of the voice work to feel more connected to the character — so any way he can return to this franchise is welcome.

Gunn said that Diesel definitely "pushed himself as an actor" for the role, telling Variety that Diesel did thousands of recordings of the phrase "I am Groot" in a slew of languages including Mandarin and Spanish. He worked closely with the director to create Groot's signature gutteral voice.

If that doesn't enamor Diesel to you, consider this: Diesel said that playing Groot helped him mourn the loss of his friend and Fast & Furious franchise costar Paul Walker. In fact, Diesel filmed Guardians on a hiatus from Furious 7 that came after Walker's death. As Gunn remembered, according to Variety: "I think the simplicity of Groot, the innocence of Groot and the creativity of Groot was a big relief for Vin." Diesel himself added: "That was healing for me...to play a character that could reincarnate, rejuvenate and represent life as trees do." What a tender-hearted tree-man.

Personally, I hope we see more of Diesel on those stilts, which he not only wore during production, but also to several premieres of Guardians Of The Galaxy.

And, whatever form we see Groot in — sapling or full-grown tree — I'm ready. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 will hit theaters May 5, 2017.