Comic Strip: Vin Diesel Finally Says, “I Am Groot”, Wonder Woman-ly Advice, and ‘X-Men’ Goes Rogue

ScreenCrush’s Comic Strip is a weekly roundup of the hottest superhero movie news items. From Marvel to DC and points in between, if it pertains to costumed comic-book heroes, we’re covering it here, bringing you our expert analysis. This week, Marvel finally speaks out about Vin Diesel in 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' Lynda Carter has some words of wisdom for new Wonder Woman Gal Gadot, 'X-Men' has some bad news for Rogue, a new 'Avengers 2' villain has been revealed, and more.

'Guardians of the Galaxy'

Marvel Studios, director James Gunn and even Vin Diesel himself kept any and all information on the actor's involvement in the upcoming space opera, 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' to themselves -- though they certainly didn't hold back on teasing fans to death -- which made way for wild speculation to run rampant. (We even had our own theory.) It was only recently that the studio and Diesel finally confirmed that he will indeed be voicing the tree-like alien Groot and officially completes the team made up of Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer and Bradley Cooper voicing Rocket Raccoon.

Wrote Gunn of the casting on his official Facebook page:

Yep it is completely official. AND he’s amazing. I never knew someone could say I AM GROOT so many different ways and with such feeling (and that sounds like I’m kidding but I’m not!).

Now that that's out of the way, we can focus our attention elsewhere -- like the future of Bautista in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

The former WWE star has been confirmed to return to the ring for what some are saying is on a full-time basic, including live televised events. So what does this mean for the future of Drax the Destroyer? Will the professional wrestling champ have enough time to further his film career with this new development?

Wonder Woman

So, this shouldn't be news to you, but if it is -- Wonder Woman will finally be making her first ever feature-film appearance in director Zack Snyder's upcoming 'Man of Steel' follow-up, the unofficially titled 'Batman vs. Superman,' taking the form of Israeli model-turned-actress Gal Gadot. And what does the original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter, have to say about all of this? Honestly, nothing but the best.

"I care more about the character continuing than holding on to my piece of it. I hope she has fun with it," Carter told the UK Metro. "She won’t have to carry the whole film. It takes the pressure off. I wish her well. I’m just glad she’s going to be out there again. Maybe she’ll get her own show again."

The 'Batman vs. Superman' team is certainly happy to include the character in the film that already sees the Caped Crusader and the Man of Steel. Said producer Wesley Coller:

We’re super excited to have her in the film. It will be a ton of fun, but at the same time, we’ve got to stay focused on the film we’re working on now. ... [My daughter’s] favorite book is this little Wonder Woman flip book. It has the lasso, the invisible plane, the bracelets – every page has an image she’s just in awe with. And something that’s become a reality, being a dad with a new daughter, is that I have a special place in my heart for the idea of a strong, empowered female superhero being out there.

The Flash

Now that DC is filling in the ranks of its movie franchise, what about the small screen? After Barry Allen's (Grant Gustin's) debut on The CW's 'Arrow,' he'll be getting his own pilot for a standalone 'The Flash' TV series, which will probably move ahead quickly given fan interest. However, a new report suggests he won't be alone.

According to Moviehole, DC character Vibe, whose name comes from the superpower shockwaves he can emit, will be fighting alongside The Flash in the coming pilot. The character was recently added to the Justice League of America in the "New 52" comic universe, and was given his own spinoff series.

Given that 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.' and 'Arrow' already found success in surrounding their characters with various comic characters, it's a given The Flash would do the same. Though, should Vibe be the first one to do so?

'X-Men: Days of Future Past'

Looks like Rogue is runnin' again.

'True Blood' star Anna Paquin gave the power-absorbing Rogue her cinematic standing in Bryan Singer's first 'X-Men' film, portrayed her in the next two sequels, and was set to be featured in the director's upcoming 'Days of Future Past,' which combines both casts of the original films and the 'First Class' crew together for one time-traveling affair. However, Singer recently revealed that she's been cut from the final ... well ... cut.

"Through the editing process, the sequence became extraneous," he said of the one scene in which she partook. "It’s a really good sequence and it will probably end up on the DVD so people can see it. But like many things in the editing process, it was an embarrassment of riches and it was just one of the things that had to go. Unfortunately, it was the one and only sequence Anna Paquin was in, the Rogue character was in. Even though she’s in the materials and part of the process of making the film, she won’t appear in it."

Perhaps it was Rogue's lack of involvement in 'X-Men: The Last Stand,' but this doesn't seem all that bad. 'Days of Future Past' is already riddled with new faces to its cinematic universe -- including Warpath, Quicksilver, Blink and Sunspot -- in addition to all the returning stars, and there were bound to be some superfluous characters. Plus, there's always 'X-Men: Apocalypse' to look forward to.

The Secret Villain in 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron'

We've already got the destructive A.I. Ultron (voiced by James Spader), the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and her super-speedster brother Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) added to Joss Whedon's upcoming 'The Avengers 2' (officially titled 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron'), but there's at least one more to join the ranks.

Latino Review first broke the news that there will be a secret villain (well, now not-so secret) wreaking some havoc, as well -- introducing Baron Von Strucker!

Here's a little background on this Marvel comics baddie: An ex-Nazi and a leader in the evil organization H.Y.D.R.A. -- which first entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 'Captain America: The First Avenger' -- Strucker is a genetically altered soldier, an expert marksman and swordsman, who has discovered how to theoretically live forever. The deadly disease that resides within him has altered his body in ways that allow him to heal from some of the most devastating attacks.

For intel on how he will be integrated into the 'Age of Ultron' story, click HERE.

As the actors, both new and returning, have begun to read through the script for 'Avengers 2,' Olsen is excited by the prospect. Speaking to EW, she said, "I feel like I’ll be in good hands. Basically, he has a vision that’s his own that’s inspired by the comics and ultimately we get too create it together. That’s what was exciting for me."