It's the news Marvel fans have been waiting for: Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn will return for Vol 3.
Gunn previously revealed that Marvel Studios had put yet another Guardians of the Galaxy movie into development back in March, but admitted he was unsure if he wanted to be a part of round three.
Exactly one month on, Gunn has made his decision and it's very good news for fans of Star-Lord, Groot, Rocket, Gamora and Drax.
"So, after many months of ruminations and discussions, I know the answer," Gunn wrote on Facebook. "I could save this answer for the first, random interviewer to ask me during the press junket but instead I thought I'd share it with the most important people in the Guardiansverse – you, the fans, who have been so incredibly supportive and enthusiastic over the past five years, it has moved me to tears on a regular basis.
"So, yes, I'm returning to write and direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In the end, my love for Rocket, Groot, Gamora, Star-Lord, Yondu, Mantis, Drax, and Nebula – and some of the other forthcoming heroes – goes deeper than you guys can possibly imagine, and I feel they have more adventures to go on and things to learn about themselves and the wonderful and sometimes terrifying universe we all inhabit. And, like in both Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, we will work on creating the story that goes beyond what you expect."
His goal for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is to bring the story he started back in the 2014 blockbuster to a close, and set up the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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"Much of what's happened in the MCU for the past ten or so years has been leading, in a big way, to the Avengers' Infinity War. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will happen after all that," he revealed. "It will conclude the story of this iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy, and help catapult both old and new Marvel characters into the next ten years and beyond.
"I will be working side-by-side with Kevin Feige and the gang to help design where these stories go, and make sure the future of the Marvel Cosmic Universe is as special and authentic and magical as what we have created so far. I promise you, the fans, I'll do it all with integrity and love and respect for the characters."
Part of this next phase could be the destiny of the mysterious character played by Sylvester Stallone in Vol 2. Gunn has hinted that Sly will have a "very, very key, important role" in setting up the future of the MCU.
Before we get to Vol 3, we'll be seeing the Milano racing into trouble for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 on April 28 in the UK and May 5 in the US.
Star-Lord and the team will then join forces with Iron Man, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man in Avengers: Infinity War, out on April 27, 2018 in the UK and and May 4, 2018 in the UK.
Watch a teaser for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 below:
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Justin is a freelance entertainment journalist and writer. He first joined Digital Spy as a freelance entertainment reporter in 2010 and also worked as a sub-editor for the brand, serving as Night News Editor from 2016 to 2024. Over more than a decade, Justin has covered numerous major entertainment events from the US and has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo. He's written for titles across the Hearst network, plus the likes of CBR and Us Weekly.
