Massive spoilers ahead forAvengers: Infinity War. If you haven't seen it yet, what are you waiting for?!
Despite it being released a month ago, the affects of Avengers: Infinity War are still being felt by fans and cinephiles alike. The Russo Brothers expertly balanced the film's large ensemble cast, and crafted a blockbuster that had heart pulsing action and high emotional stakes. While there were already plenty of horrifying character deaths, the film's final moments saw half of the galaxy destroyed with the snap of Thanos' finger, losing a ton of major characters in the process. One of the heroes to perish this way was Groot, although there is a new fan theory about how he could return in Avengers 4. Namely, that he could be once again reborn via the wood in Thor's new hammer Stormbreaker. After all, the new hammer's handle is made from Groot's body, so his organic matter is still presumably alive and well.
While this theory does have some legs to stand on given Groot's penchant for resurrection, it seems just a bit too much of a stretch. In fact, the Russo brothers recently heard the rumor, and commented on whether or not it might be legitimate. Here's what Joe Russo had to say about it,
I don't know if every piece of him that detaches ... can grow a future version of him, but who's to say? That's an interesting question.
While not giving a concrete answer either way, it seems like The Russo Brothers likely aren't planning on reviving Groot via Stormbreaker. After all, is Thor supposed to wield the weapon with the Guardian of the Galaxy's face growing out of it?
Joe Russo's comments to Huffington Post might be a bit disappointing for Marvel fans who are hoping for Groot to have miraculously survived Thanos' snap of death. While all of the deaths attached to the snap were hard to get through, Groot's was one of the most heartbreaking. He's the heart of the Guardians, and Rocket was left to do nothing but watch his best friend turn to dust.
Groot, along with the rest of the vanished heroes, is expected to somehow return to live during the course of Avengers 4. There is a third Guardians of the Galaxy movie coming, which would be seemingly impossible if Drax, Groot, Mantis, and Star-Lord don't return to the world of the living. And if the vanished characters are brought back to life, then there would be no reason to resurrect Groot via Stormbreaker's handle.
At the start of Avengers 4, the only member of the Guardians of the Galaxy who hadn't perished was Rocket. He's going to have to coordinate with the rest of the surviving characters in order to bring his team back, which will hopefully include Rocket coming face to face with an actual raccoon.
Avengers: Infinity War is in theaters now, and Avengers 4 will arrive May 3, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
