James Gunn’s Onboard to Write and Direct the Next Guardians of the Galaxy Film

A month ago, Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn signaled to Complex that there would most definitely be a third installment in the successful franchise, but he was much less assertive about his role in the film, leading many to believe he would be hopping out of the franchise’s director’s chair.

That changed today when Gunn gave up the game and announced on his Facebook page that he would be back in the saddle for a second Guardians of the Galaxy sequel. His post, in part, explained his reasoning for making the announcement now before a tip of the hat to the fans:

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.

Since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 doesn’t even drop until May 5, we obviously don’t know much about a third volume yet, but we do know that Gunn’s been rumored to be involved with Avengers: Infinity War because that film features Marvel’s most lovable losers getting in on the action. So a third Guardians of the Galaxy flick might feature Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and company picking up the pieces from the inevitable rubble left after the Infinity War.

Check out the text of Gunn’s full statement below. Also, watch the latest trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (out May 5).

Well, this week we start the U.S. press junket, before traveling to Europe at the end of the week. Of course I know some of the questions that come up a lot – “Wasn’t there a lot more pressure dealing with the sequel of a beloved film?” (No, there was less, because this time I knew there was an audience waiting to see it!) and, “What was it like working with Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone?” (Daunting and at times overwhelming – I ran around in my backyard as a kid pretending to be Snake Plissken and John Rambo, so these guys are true icons to me.)

But the question that comes up perhaps the most is, “What’s the deal with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and are you going to direct?”

Before I was able to honestly answer this, I needed to know it was, in my heart, what I truly felt called to do. There is a history in Hollywood of haphazard endings to trilogies, and I didn’t want to become a part of that dishonorable tradition of pretending the third one doesn’t exist. I couldn’t do it for the money, and I couldn’t do it because it was what other people wanted me to do. I needed to do it because it was what I needed to do. I have never made choices in my career based on anything other than passion and love for the stories and characters, and I didn’t want to start now.

So, after many months of ruminations and discussions, I know the answer. 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.