Marvel‘s plans post-“Avengers: Infinity War” and its untitled 2019 sequel are pretty hush-hush at this point. There’s three dates set for 2020, but what those films aren’t, hasn’t been, up until now, revealed. Marvel head Kevin Feige seems to be keeping the game plan a little closer to the vest compared to past phases, only teasing at what may come next. However, he has mentioned in the past that “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” might kick off the next wave. James Gunn‘s sequel from last summer didn’t garner the same glowing reviews as his predecessor, but it was a huge box office success and I found it to be an absolute delight, filled with self-disregard, colorfully inventive visuals and the perfect example of pop art done right.
READ MORE: James Gunn Says Marvel vs. DC Bickering Is “Wasted Energy”
Gunn took to Twitter last night for a Q&A session to confirm what many have assumed. Asked when the third installment of the ‘Guardians’ series would arrive, he didn’t hesitate and gave the answer: “Coming in 2020.”
Is there going to be a guardians of the galaxy 3? @JamesGunn
— Brandon Meadows (@73be1e652c3046c) January 14, 2018
Coming in 2020. https://t.co/2kQbPHC5gP
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 14, 2018
Gunn also confirmed in that same Q&A that the Disney purchasing of 20th Century Fox would not change his creative plans for ‘Guardians 3.’ Asked what “X-Men” films he might be interested in given that Disney now owns Fox and those characters are available options, the director said “X-Men” wasn’t really his bag and he’s more interested in ‘Guardians’ comic books characters than he is a crossover.
If Disney succeeds in purchasing Fox, will it change your story for GOTG 3?
— Matthew McLean (@MattMcLean73) January 14, 2018
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 14, 2018
If you could direct one X-Men property what would it be/ if given the chance would you ever include Thing, Iron Man, Kitty Pride or Agent Venom to Guardians
— Fear The Internet (@Internet_C0ma) January 14, 2018
As of today, I wouldn’t find adding any of those characters interesting. I really am more of a fan of the Abnett/Lanning stuff as opposed to the stuff that came after the movie or first screenplay. https://t.co/6XdrYtGv1s
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 14, 2018
Now that we have that confirmed it’ll be fun to speculate what could possibly come after ‘Guardians 3’ in Phase 4. There was news earlier this week that a solo ‘”Black Widow” film was being prepared, ditto director Taika Waititi who appears to be eyeing a “Thor 4” movie. So, gathering all the confirmations and rumors we’ve had these last few years it seems that these would, at the very least, be part of the fourth phase: “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” possibly “Black Widow,” “Doctor Strange 2,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming 2,” “Thor 4,” “Black Panther 2” and? Other films? Whatever the case, with many of the main ‘Avengers’ exiting the series (Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth), at least for now, don’t be surprised when the ‘Guardians’ become the new flagship team of the MCU.