Days before Guardians of the Galaxy hits theaters Marvel has announced that there will be a sequel for Guardians coming in 2017.

Marvel Studios announced at their San Diego Comic-Con panel that James Gunn will return to write and direct the sequel for Guardians of the Galaxy.

The sequel is set for July 28, 2017 which is one of the mystery dates announced by Marvel in the days leading up to SDCC.

Yes, I’m writing and directing the sequel to #GuardiansoftheGalaxy for theaters July 28 2017. But first go see the first one out next week!

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 27, 2014

The news was delivered by video from director James Gunn and Chris Pratt as Marvel’s Hall H presentation concluded at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

Nicole Perlman, who penned an early draft of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” revealed Friday that Gunn would return to direct and write the follow-up.

Marvel parent company Disney has also put a lot of merchandising muscle behind the film, touting what was once a fringe property as “a third Marvel franchise that can be at retail alongside our powerhouse franchises of The Avengers and Spider-Man.”

Opening Aug. 1, “Guardians of the Galaxy” stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou , John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin.

Source: CBR