Vin Diesel has joined the cast of Marvel's live-action "Guardians of the Galaxy", directed by James Gunn.
Diesel will voice the part of Groot, joining Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Drax (Dave Bautista), Marvel stated in a news release. The film is slated to hit theaters Aug. 1, 2014.
The "Fast & Furious" actor also announced the release date for the newest installment of the franchise. "Fast & Furious 7" was delayed after the death of costar Paul Walker. Diesel took to Facebook to announce the new release date.
"The last scene we filmed together. There was a unique sense of completion, of pride we shared in the film we were now completing, the magic captured and in just how far we've come. 'Fast and Furious 7' will be released [on] April 10, 2015," he wrote.
"P.s. He'd want you to know first," he added.
Diesel previously wrote a touching tribute to Walker on his Facebook page about the first thing he did once her heard the news of his friend's death.
"When I heard, I immediately flew back to California," Diesel began his post, "and went directly from the plane to his mother's house. I thought they needed my strength, but realized when I got there and broke down before his family, that it was I who needed theirs."
"His mother hugged me and said I am so sorry," he added. "I said sorry? You're the mother who lost a son? She said yes, but you lost your other half."
Walker, 40, died in a car accident on Nov. 30 when he and friend Roger Rodas went on a joy ride before a Reach Out Worldwide charity event. Walker's family held a private funeral for him on Dec. 14, and many of his "Fast & Furious" costars attended.
