Baby Groot's MCU Show Fixes A Major Disney+ Problem

Baby Groot will be getting his own kid-friendly Disney+ series of shorts titled I Am Groot, which will fix the problem of the MCU's lack of content for young audiences. The show was announced during Disney's investor meeting alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Baby Groot was first seen in the end credits of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie as a potted sprout, and returned in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 after growing up a bit. The tiny-but-mighty tree quickly worked his way into audience's hearts. Though he had grown into a teenager by the end of the movie, Baby Groot remains popular among fans, and is still heavily featured in merchandise.

The spinoff promises to introduce "several new and unusual characters," but little else is known about the series. Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn has not disclosed his level of involvement with the shorts, nor is it known whether or not they will be animated. Since Groot is still a baby during the series, it will likely take place between the events of the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies. I Am Groot will not be the first time the Flora colossus has been spotlighted in short form, as the adult version of the character appeared alongside his accomplice Rocket Raccoon in Disney XD's Rocket and Groot shorts. The previous series featured an expressive animation style seemingly inspired by comic artist Skottie Young's illustrations of the duo.

Animated or not, I Am Groot will bridge a critical gap in Marvel Cinematic Universe-adjacent content. The MCU's large adult fanbase has cause more mature content to be produced, seemingly forgetting that kids are a big part of the audience for superhero media. While superheroes are for everyone, kid-friendly movies and TV shows should have as much of a place within the MCU as grittier ones. With the announcement of shows like Moon Knight and the possible entry of Deadpool into the MCU, I Am Groot strikes a balance in audience appeal for Marvel's Disney+ content.

Though Disney+ has plenty of high-quality original content for young viewers and families to enjoy, very little of it is Marvel-related. A few Marvel cartoons are scattered across the platform, though most of them predate the MCU and are a mixed bag in terms of quality. I Am Groot is a chance for Marvel to produce a kid-friendly series that is made with the care that comes with being part of the MCU. Similar short films featuring kid-appeal Disney characters like Frozen's Olaf and Toy Story 4's Forky have already been successful on Disney+, giving I Am Groot an opportunity to win over new, young MCU fans.

Knowing that Marvel already draws in adult audiences, I Am Groot could also be made to suit all ages. Though the shorts will be simple, they can feature the snappy dialogue and humor that made Guardians of the Galaxy so popular in the first place. If the series is animated, the unique Rocket and Groot style could be revisited to give the new show visual appeal, making it a fun watch for families and even grown-ups.

Despite I Am Groot's target audience, the series should not be written off as kiddie fluff. The "new and unusual characters" it introduces could draw from the more obscure corners of the Marvel Universe, and feature characters that would probably not have a shot of being in the MCU otherwise. The shorts have a chance to appeal to both the newest and most experienced Marvel fans.

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