I am still pinching myself thinking about the amazing opportunity I had last week thanks to Disney/ Marvel. Myself and 24 other bloggers were able to interview several stars from Marvel’s summer hit Guardians of the Galaxy. First, I wanted to share with you our interview with Vin Diesel who is the voice of Groot in the soon to be smash hit!
I would like to start off by saying that by the time Vin Diesel left the room I was one of his biggest fans. It all started with his entrance. As he walked into the room we all started to clap for him. He got a giant smile on his face and told us that we did not have to make him feel that good. Then he said, “I need to walk in again!” Again, we applauded him. His reaction was the same, very grateful and genuine. As he sat down and looked around the room he noticed that many of us were wearing Guardians of the Galaxy t-shirts and was so excited to see us wearing them. We told him how much we loved his character Groot in the movie and asked how he got involved in the film.
He told us that Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, called him to tell him about the character and said to him, “Don’t think I’m crazy. I hope you will like it.” Kevin then sent Vin a huge book of conceptual art for Guardians of the Galaxy. It was the first time he had seen what they were doing with Groot, which is not anything like the comic books, it is an original Groot. He decided to show his kids a picture from the book of all the characters in the film hoping that they would lead him in feeling good about the role. He asked, “What character do you think they want Daddy to play?” They answered him in seconds and all pointed to Groot, they thought Groot was cool.
His kids have seen the movie and love singing the songs from the film around the house. The soundtrack plays an important role in the movie, more on that in a later post.
But the best thing about having played this role is something I never would have anticipated as an actor. I never would’ve seen this coming. I knew when I did the voice of Iron Giant that it would be cool for my kids to say “my dad is the Iron Giant.” But I didn’t anticipate what the effect would be from playing Groot, and this is what it’s been.
When my kids are in the back seat and we’re driving, whenever they see trees they say, “Look, Dad. It’s your brothers and sisters.” You can’t beat that. I mean, nothing I would try to teach them about life and respect for nature could have been as effective as them seeing Daddy as Groot, and them thinking that. How appropriate and beautiful.
-Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel told us that it has been really special playing the role of Groot because he has been able to share this role with his little ones, unlike his other movies. He said that his kids are so proud of it and will never look at a tree the same way. “No one will, after this.”
A fun fact from the film is that to help Vin get into character while he was in the recording booth, he would wear jumping stilts. He really wanted to feel like he was a seven-and-a-half foot tree. Another fun fact is that he is about to start working on a movie called “The Last Witch Hunter” with Michael Caine about a 700-year old New Yorker.
The interview ended with all of us singing and dancing to Hooked on a Feeling with him. Seriously! He sang and danced with us. What an amazing opportunity! We laughed, danced, and sang with Vin Diesel! He is very down to earth and personable, and his love for his kids shined through. I am forever a fan.
I love mommy bloggers! You know, mommies were the first superheroes! – Vin Diesel
I do not want to give any spoilers away, but his character plays a very important part in bringing all of the characters, Star Lord, Gamora, Rocket and Groot together.
Watch Vin Diesel as Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy August 1, 2014!
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I love that he loves mommy bloggers. 😉 He sounds like a class act and I’ve heard so many great things about the movie!
It’s good to see a smile on Vin’s face after losing one of his best friends, Paul Walker. I was able to see a screener of this movie and its pretty awesome.
My hubby has a huge man crush on Vin Diesel. I don’t see it, so he can have him LOL.
What a great interview! It sounds like he was very down Earth and fun. Can’t wait to see the movie!
Vin Diesel is amazing. I love that he’s the voice of Groot. That deep, gravely voice of his is perfect for a 7 foot tree man.
No one else but Vin Diesel could have been the voice for Groot. The deepness of his voice and that gravely quality are just perfect for the character.
I agree. Vin’s kids saying that his brothers and sisters were the forest was the best remark of the whole trip!
Mitch
I recognize some of those bloggers in that photo! What a great opportunity. 🙂
It had to be so much fun interviewing him – we love his movies!
Now that is more than cool. What a great experience and interview. I love how he sang and danced with you. A real down to earth person and you will never forget that.
That’s so awesome, you met a real life action hero! Looking forward to seeing this film.
Looks like a cute movie for kids! I am not sure if my girls would want to see it, but your meet and greet experience is really cool.
I love Vin Diesel he’s one of my favorite actors! Me and my family are SO excited to see Guardians of the Galaxy it looks like a GREAT movie!
I am so jealous! I would love to be in the same room as Vin Diesel let alone interview him.
I don’t know about this movie yet. My son doesn’t really seem too excited about it, but we just may go see it
I love that group pic! Vin Diesel is so great for meeting with you all – looks like a fabulous group!
What a super cool experience! I love to hear that celebrities can be really cool people.
This sounds like an amazing movie. I’ve seen Vin Diesel before in kids movies and he really is charming.
Ekkkk that is too cool!! I love Vin Diesel, that is so cool that you got to interview him!!
I LOVE Vin Diesel! This just makes me like him even more.
his quote is really sweet. I’ve always like him
He is the perfect role for Groot! I would love to interview him !
It’s fun to see the group blogger pictures. I like Vin Diesel, we’ll see this movie.
What an amazing opportunity! I totally want to see this movie!
What a great opportunity. I’ll have to check out the movie in the future.
Been so fun reading all these great post’s about Vin Diesal, I figured he was a really cool guy. I like hearing him in interviews on late night, really funny.
What an amazing opportunity! I am so looking forward to this movie and my son hasn’t stopped talking about it!
Love hearing what his kids think about the movie! I adore Vin Diesel!
Wasn’t meeting him in person just insane? It still feels unreal!
Wow I am intrigued by this already. I think its great that you all got to personally mingle with Vin Dinsel that is awesome! And I spy Talking with Tami from ATL! I cant wait to have kids so I can attend events like this!
I didn’t think I would love him, then he walked in and it was hard not to just clap and scream because he had such a presence.