The disastrous casting fiasco sends the franchise's budget down the drain. Who might this be?
With each new installment constantly grossing billions of dollars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has cemented its position as the undisputed leader in the movie business. In addition to bringing fame and money to the franchise, this unparalleled popularity has also made it possible for MCU-related actors to earn high salaries.
The Iron Man role played by Robert Downey Jr. perfectly illustrates this successful combination. Meanwhile, Marvel’s propensity for using A-list actors in pivotal parts isn’t necessarily a surefire recipe for success. One example is their questionable choice to cast Vin Diesel as Groot, which may have cost the studio millions of dollars and left moviegoers unimpressed.
Diesel is undoubtedly one of the MCU’s most popular stars, although the tabloids may not often feature him. Unlike many of his MCU counterparts, he boasts involvement in several top films. His crucial part cements his status as a bankable celebrity in the “Fast & Furious” series, recognized for its commercial successes.
In addition, Diesel has been aggressively pursuing passion projects like “Bloodshot” and the “Riddick” series, which have helped him amass considerable profits in addition to his role as Groot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor earned a remarkable $54 million in only one year, making him the highest-paid Marvel actor in 2018.
It is important to note that not all of Diesel’s earnings can be attributed to Marvel, as his other business ventures also add to his current net worth, which is believed to be approximately $160 million.
Screen Rant‘s claimed sources state that Marvel first approached Diesel about playing Groot. The support of his loved ones ultimately persuaded the actor, despite his initial hesitations about portraying a role that only speaks one line.
However, Diesel claimed that Marvel presented Groot as being similar to The Iron Giant, a comparison that caught his attention because he enjoys the renowned animated movie. He was fascinated by the challenge of playing a totally CGI character with just two lines, “I am Groot” and “We are Groot,” but in the end, his daughter convinced him to accept the role.
Diesel’s recognizable voice and current fame probably influenced Marvel’s choice to cast him. A totally CGI figure named Rocket Raccoon had already been given a voiceover by another well-known actor, Bradley Cooper, for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So pairing Groot’s role with another star actor makes logical.
Even while Groot’s job entails more than just repeating the same two lines in numerous languages and inflections, it ultimately falls short of adequately using Diesel’s acting skills compared to other CGI characters in the MCU.
Although delivering a single word in many ways presents a particular challenge, Cooper’s Rocket Raccoon voice acting exceeds all expectations regarding complexity. His acting enables Rocket to connect with viewers via the subtleties of his delivery, even though his words are sometimes unclear.
Groot’s lines, in contrast, have had significant computer editing, despite Diesel having a distinctive and unmistakable voice. Therefore, Groot’s representation might have been voiced by a less famous and expensive actor without having a materially negative effect. Nevertheless, such a choice would have significantly altered Disney’s financial situation.
In hindsight, it looks like Marvel’s expensive decision to hire Diesel as Groot was a gambling risk that didn’t pay off. While there is no denying Diesel has star power, the character’s scant lines of dialogue and considerable computer editing make him less necessary.
Marvel might have saved millions of dollars by hiring a less well-known voice actor who was more reasonably priced. Unfortunately, the chance was wasted, depriving both Marvel and Diesel of the potential to make the most of their resources and give fans a more satisfying performance.