We’ve seen a number of photos from the set of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 over the last couple weeks, and today we learn production has officially begun with Kurt Russell and Elizabeth Debicki joining the cast.

There has been a lot of speculation that Kurt Russell with be Star Lord’s father in the upcoming sequel, and though director James Gunn doesn’t confirm or deny what role Russell will be playing, I’m sure the Internets rumor sites will go crazy for the next couple of months.

Here is what James Gunn shared via his Facebook page

Official photography on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has started, and I couldn’t be more stoked. My favorite movie as a small child was The Strongest Man in the World, so I’m glad to announce that, yes, Kurt Russell has joined our cast and, yes, he is more awesome a dude than I ever could have imagined. The last few days around here with him and our other new cast members, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, and Chris Sullivan, have been some of the best of my life. I never thought anyone was missing from our island of misfit toys, but now that these folks are here there feels like there was. Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, and Glenn Close are all returning. We’ll have more surprises for you in the coming months. But, for now, this will have to do. I have to get back to set! Have a great day, everybody.

Well that certainly gets me excited about the movie, and I’m very excited to see Kurt Russell do his best John Wayne impression in the movie. Unfortunately, we don’t know much about the story, except what the studios have released thus far:

Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 is scheduled to open in theaters on May 5, 2017.

via Facebook