In one of the five post-credits scenes for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, fans were treated to a first look at a teenage version of Groot, suggesting some time had elapsed since the events of the film. Now director James Gunn has confirmed that not only was there a somewhat-significant time jump, but that the scene actually takes place in close proximity to 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War.
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While interviewing the filmmaker, CinemaBlend noted the Groot seen in the Infinity War footage screened at the D23 Expo and Comic-Con International bore a striking resemblance to the adolescent version from the Guardians 2 post-credits scene. “He’s exactly the same,” Gunn replied. “That’s exactly the Groot we designed for Infinity War.”
The website sought clarification about whether he meant the post-credits scene takes place four years after his film’s 2014 setting. Gunn replied, “Well, basically those are at the same time.”
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All things considered, Gunn’s comments shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. While the Infinity War footage from D23 and SDCC hasn’t been officially released online, there are some clear similarities between the teenage Groot from the post-credits scene and the version of the character that appears on the Comic-Con exclusive Avengers: Infinity War concept art poster.
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers: Infinity War boasts a sprawling ensemble cast that includes Robert Downey Jr., Josh Brolin, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Olsen, Sebastian Stan, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Bettany, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Benedict Wong, Zoe Saldana, Karen Gillan, Vin Diesel, Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Holland and Anthony Mackie. The film arrives in theaters May 4, 2018, with the untitled sequel opening May 3, 2019.
(via Screen Rant)