James Gunn is currently in production on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, so when recently asked if he’d return to direct Guardians of the Galaxy 3, the director seemed uncertain about whether he wants to stick with Marvel or move on to something else. Marvel hasn’t formally revealed any of its Phase 4 films, but we’ve all just assumed that another Guardians sequel is part of that plan — according to Kevin Feige, that assumption is correct.

Exactly when we can expect Guardians of the Galaxy 3 to hit theaters is still up in the air, but as Feige told iO9, it’s definitely part of their Phase 4 slate:

We’re only working on what’s been announced through the end of 2019. And it is still a big chess board for 2020 and beyond, but certainly I would say Guardians 3 is [one film that’s] up there. I don’t know what exactly the order will be.

As of now, Phase 3 looks like this, following Civil War’s release on May 6:

Doctor Strange – November 4, 2016
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017
Spider-Man – July 7, 2017
Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017
Black Panther – February 16, 2018
Avengers: Infinity War, Part 1 – May 4, 2018
Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018
Captain Marvel – March 6, 2018
Avengers: Infinity War, Part 2 – May 3, 2019
Inhumans – TBD

Marvel recently pushed Inhumans back (again) to avoid Disney’s Indiana Jones 5. The final Phase 3 film was originally set to hit theaters in November 2018 before shifting to June 2019, and is now without a release date for the time being. Marvel could push Inhumans back to Phase 4 and end Phase 3 in 2019 with a different film, but that movie won’t be Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

We should know more over the summer, but Marvel has a pretty full slate and another Guardians sequel will probably remain the only confirmed Phase 4 film for some time. But hey, we still have Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to look forward to next summer.

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