Warning! This article contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

James Gunn clears up the confusion surrounding Groot's ending in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, confirming an excellent theory. The trilogy finale for the Marvel Cinematic Universe's cosmic team has premiered to resounding success. The movie marks the final chapter for this iteration of the team, with a Groot scene at the end of the film making it clear that this is the end of an era. The shocking nature of the scene generated some confusion as to what exactly was happening, but Gunn has now cleared up any doubts.

On Twitter, Gunn confirmed a brilliant theory of why Groot talked in English at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Throughout his time in the MCU, Vin Diesel's lovable talking tree has communicated through variations of "I am Groot." However, Guardians of the Galaxy 3's ending saw Groot shockingly say "I love you guys," the first time he spoke English in the MCU. According to the theory that Gunn confirmed, Groot did not speak English, it is the audience that was finally able to understand the character's language for the first time, with fans becoming part of the Guardians of the Galaxy family in a heartfelt way.

Related: Everyone Who Dies In Guardians Of The Galaxy 3

What's Next For The Team After Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3?

The team from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in promotional material

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 marked the end of the journey for this iteration of the team, with most members leaving the Guardians to either find answers about themselves or settle down. Guardians of the Galaxy franchise director Gunn will no longer be in the MCU, with the creative set to oversee the new DC Universe. While the end of the movie, and public statements from actors Dave Bautista (Drax) and Zoe Saldaña (Gamora), make it clear that this iteration of the team is done, some characters can still be around in the MCU.

The only character who was confirmed to return after the credits were over, in Marvel Studios' traditional way, was Chris Pratt's Star-Lord. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's very final text onscreen was "The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return," which set up Pratt's character to embark on more space adventures in the future after spending some much-needed time on Earth with his grandfather. When Star-Lord is ready to return to defend the galaxy, he will find a new team waiting for him.

One of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's end-credits scenes showed a new version of the cosmic team. Rocket is now the captain of the Guardians of the Galaxy, accompanied by his best friend Groot, a reformed Adam Warlock, an arrow-wielding Kraglin, the telekinetic Cosmo the Spacedog, and newcomer Phyla — who is likely the MCU's version of the comic book character Phyla-Vell. While Star-Lord was the only character confirmed to return by the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Marvel's cosmic team was set up to continue in the MCU with Rocket as its leader, which likely means the new Guardians will appear again in the future.

Source: James Gunn/Twitter

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