While Marvel Studios has not commented on anything when it comes to the casting of Vin Diesel in Guardians of the Galaxy, the actor is certainly speaking out and had a few things to say when asked by Hero Complex. Marvel has typically either been ahead of fans on announcements and surprising them or they’ve just let it percolate out there for a few months, such as the casting of John C. Reilly, Glenn Close and Benicio del Toro in order to allow it to generate buzz and interest, which is definitely needed for this film. What becomes interesting is that we see from this piece that Vin Diesel wants to be involved in the Marvel stuff in general, but due to the time commitment really can’t do that because of other projects he’s got going on, so voice acting (which he’s done way back with Iron Giant) was his main option.
Hero Complex: OK, so why Groot?
Vin Diesel: I’m an actor. I can do whatever the … I want. As an actor, not everything has to be the most obvious choice. And sometimes, the best thing you can do — as far as Steven Spielberg and his advice — is to defy expectations. So if everybody thinks you’re going to go for this one thing and you flip it entirely and go for the strangest Marvel character, it’s interesting. And when something is interesting, it’s inspiring.
HC: Why did you post a picture of the character on Facebook this weekend?
VD: I get inspired by things. So if somebody sends me a book of conceptual art that’s the best character design work I’ve ever seen — I’m not kidding, I see that and I want to be a little cryptic and I want to say something positive. Even if it’s as cryptic as an old, dated image of a character.
HC: Marvel is notoriously secretive about its movies, and you’re very open. Isn’t it mad you’ve been dropping hints about “Guardians”?
VD: The last thing they are is mad. I’m pretty open, but I have been secretive about this. I went to Comic-Con and I got blasted while I was on the Hall H panel for “Riddick.” Someone asked a Marvel question. I couldn’t say anything because of that secrecy.
Check out more of the interview here.
