Vin Diesel Teases MCU Comeback and a Solo Groot Movie

Vin Diesel just turned his Instagram into a one-man Hall H panel, teasing a stack of projects that range from 'oh wow' to 'we will see.' Yes, Groot solo movie included. Yes, Riddick is still happening. And yes, he brought up Kojak again.

The setup

Diesel posted a photo in familiar gear, holding Riddick's goggles, hinting that Riddick: Furya is finally firing up. He also name-checked a solo Groot film seemingly titled The Arbor King, Fast X: Part 2, a new Fast short, xXx 4, a sequel to The Last Witch Hunter, and his long-discussed Kojak movie. For context, Diesel was last on the big screen in 2023's Fast X, which landed among the series' lowest-rated entries.

'So much to share... iconic stories that all resonate with something deep inside... Groot's return in The Arbor King, that infamous New York detective, Kaulder's Oath, Xander's next adventure in Mumbai, Street racers reunited in LA, and of course, the Furyan.'

The slate he teased

• The Arbor King (Groot solo) - Diesel says he is developing and writing a Groot-focused movie that would tell the 'long-awaited' story of Groot heading back to Planet X. Marvel Studios has not announced this, so treat it as his passion project for now. If it actually goes, it would be the MCU's first Groot-centered feature. Last we saw the character, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Rocket and Groot were the only original Guardians still on the team.
• Riddick: Furya - The Instagram photo with the goggles was the nod. David Twohy, who has been attached since 2016 and has steered the franchise from the start, is directing. Still no release date.
• Fast X: Part 2 (aka Fast & Furious 11) - He teased 'street racers reunited in LA.' On top of that, Diesel is cooking up a new Fast short film that will follow 2009's Los Bandoleros. No plot or character details yet.
• xXx 4 - Xander Cage's next mission is set in Mumbai, according to Diesel.
• The Last Witch Hunter sequel - He referred to 'Kaulder's Oath,' which sure sounds like a subtitle. No specifics beyond that.
• Kojak - The 'infamous New York detective' is back on Diesel's board. This film adaptation of the 1970s crime drama has been in the 'in development' pile for years.

Bottom line

Classic Diesel: big ambitions, bigger list. Some of this has been percolating forever (Kojak, Riddick), some could actually move (Fast 11), and some is brand-new and unconfirmed (the Groot movie). As always, cool teases, but the real story will be which ones actually roll cameras first.