'Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2' Art Has New Alien, More Baby Groot

Footage from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (in theaters May 2017) is still under wraps, but here’s a peek at concept art for one of the film’s interspecies smackdowns, featuring a many-tentacled alien and a cheerfully distracted Baby Groot. Director James Gunn shared the drawing (by comic book artist Andy Park) on Facebook and Twitter yesterday, where he confirmed that the fight scene does appear in the final film.

The lucky fans who got into the Marvel Studios panel at Comic-Con have already seen this new Guardians creature, who appeared in the footage screened exclusively at Hall H. Called an “abilisk,” according to Gunn, it looks like a fuzzy Kraken with a set of Sarlaac-pit dentures. Perhaps just as exciting is another glimpse of Baby Groot, who has outgrown his planter from the end of the first film, and is now toddler-sized. (The character also appeared perched on Drax’s shoulder in concept art released in July.) Cute as he is, the current incarnation of Groot is apparently more interested in playing than fighting bad guys. “He’s having a good time,” Gunn said of the character in the picture. “Baby Groot can be a little oblivious… He’s thinking of other stuff, and having fun.”

Related: James Gunn Wields Thor’s Hammer in Our ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ Gallery (Updated!)