In a cinematic universe filled with breakout characters, none have broke out quite like Baby Groot has. Regular sized Groot's selfless act at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy has cost him his giant form, but has only increased his popularity. Baby Groot and his pot dancing self was one of the most popular toys to come out of the MCU, and as if he wasn't in high demand before, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 looks to set him up to be even more popular.

Baby Groot's desire to set off a bomb in the first trailer, and then running away with it with his fellow Guardians' backs turned, was one of highlight moments from the first Guardians 2 trailer, along with his rage filled charge at some Ravagers. Not only is little Groot's best pal Rocket infatuated with explosives, but Baby Groot shows he himself is as well, in a new international poster.

Marvel released a new international poster for Japan for the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel that features Baby Groot, as innocent as can be, standing atop a stack of dynamite. It wouldn't be too dangerous if that was all that the poster contained, but with a match in hand and his curious, kid-like personality in play, there is strong chance that this scenario will end with a boom.

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 International Poster

While it is unlikely that Baby Groot ever finds himself in this exact scenario in Guardians 2 itself and this is merely a marketing plot to exploit the character's cuteness, it serves that purpose wonderfully. This continues the marketing trend to push Baby Groot every chance they get. While director James Gunn has said Groot's transformation is not a marketing stunt made to just sell more toys and does factor into the story, Marvel and Disney would be foolish to not capitalize on him.

This poster is just the latest example of how much the Guardians brand has grown since the first film. Initially, Marvel wouldn't dare make any singular Guardian a lone member in a piece of marketing, but now they can put a tiny tree surrounded by dynamite onto a poster and know fans will love it. Guardians of the Galaxy went from being one of their riskiest properties to date, to now having the sequel be one of the most anticipated movies of this year. The buzz for the sequel should only continue to grow as May approaches and the Guardians go on their final adventure, before teaming up with the Avengers and more in Avengers: Infinity War.

NEXT: How The Avengers & Guardians of the Galaxy Could Meet

Source: Marvel Studios

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