Marvel Studios may be well known for their elaborate continuity in their films. Additionally, they may also be well known for the good relationships they’ve created with their filmmakers along the way — Peyton Reed, the Russo Brothers, and James Gunn are a few who have stuck, or will be sticking around for multiple films. In a world where Marvel Studios may not always be willing to pay top dollar for their talent, that’s a huge deal. They not only need to maintain the credibility of this shared universe, but to cultivate an atmosphere that attracts — and keeps — top tier behind-the-camera talent.

Yes, Marvel Studios plans far ahead, but they ironically also take things one film at a time. The same can be said of the directors who come on board. Audiences may always be looking for the Easter eggs that hint to that much greater future, but oftentimes, the helmers can only think as far as this film, because everything beyond that is usually a big question mark.

RELATED: James Gunn Things Michael Rooker Deserves An Oscar For His Role In Guardians 2

So what about James Gunn, the man behind the Guardians of the Galaxy films? This is very much a franchise that was built on his unique vision. Would Marvel Studios dare let him go for the inevitable third installment? In true James Gunn style, he took to the question to Facebook to say that yes, he would, in fact, be returning for a third outing.

“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 historyin 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.

“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.”

Of course, this is great news for those of us who loved the first Guardians of the Galaxy, and if the trailers are any indication, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 looks to be just as fun of a ride as the first one.

Assuming this goes through, this also marks a history first for Marvel Studios — it’s the first time one of their directors has started and completed a full trilogy of films. As we know, Jon Favreau only did Iron Man and Iron Man 2, the Russo Brothers came in in the second film in a trilogy, Joss Whedon only did two Avengers films before heading over to DC, and everyone else has sort of cycled in and out of their respective film franchises.

In a system that has become a well-oiled machine, the fact that they have such a creative filmmaker like Gunn returning for a third time is pretty darn cool, especially how quirky his vision has ended up.

What do you think of this? Are you happy that James Gunn is returning for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, or do you wish we could see someone else’s vision of this color-saturated world? Let us know your thoughts down below!

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters on May 5, 2017.

Don’t forget to share this post on your Facebook wall and with your Twitter followers! Just hit the buttons on the top of this page.

SOURCE: James Gunn (via Facebook)