Earlier this year, James Gunn ushered in a new round of cosmic heroism with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The long-awaited sequel brought back Star-Lord and his team as they once again saved the galaxy from annihilation. The director’s efforts paid off as the movie raked in more than $700 million worldwide. A third film has already been ordered, and Gunn is hard at work on its script.

And, apparently, its narrative will help branch out new stories within the MCU.

Recently, Gunn sat down for an interview with IGN to talk about Disneyland’s new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. It was there the director spoke up about the MCU’s cosmic future, and Gunn said it’s something he talks about often with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

“We talk about it all the time. It’s already a part of what I’m doing with Marvel and the conversations that Kevin and I have every day. When we’re talking about Guardians of the Galaxy 3, and that story, that’s a story that will lead to other stories,” Gunn said.

“It’s innate to the DNA that that’s the end of a trilogy but it’s the beginning of a whole other element of the Marvel Cosmic universe. That’s a part of what I’m doing now.”

Obviously, Gunn is not a liberty to talk about what those other stories may be, but fans have their suspicions. There is always a chance the MCU’s cosmic future will tell a story about the galaxy’s original Guardians. Gunn’s latest film brought in stars like Sylvester Stallone to play Starhawk, and the director has teased fans that the gang may show up again in the future.

Of course, fans are also very interested to learn if Adam Warlock will have a bigger presence in the MCU. The popular hero’s debut was hinted at in the new Guardians of the Galaxy film, and Feige has teased Warlock’s impending MCU debut. There’s also room for the cosmic universe to explore characters such as Nova or even relationships like the one between Groot and Rocket.

For now, Gunn is simply enjoying some time off following the whirlwind that was Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The director will soon get to work on the franchise’s third installment, but Gunn has a bit more work to put into Avengers: Infinity War as he consults with the blockbuster’s directors about its Guardians storyline.

MORE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: Awesome Mix Vol. 2 Getting Vinyl And Cassette Release / Beast Kingdom Shows Off Their Exclusive Star-Lord Figure / New Concept Art Reveals Alternate Ego Design / James Gunn Reveals His Growing Responsibility Within The MCU

Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is written and directed by James Gunn (Slither). The film marks the return of the original Guardians, including Chris Pratt (Jurassic World) as Peter Quill/Star-Lord; Zoe Saldana (Star Trek Into Darkness) as Gamora; Dave Bautista (Spectre) as Drax; Vin Diesel (Furious 7) as the voice of Groot; Bradley Cooper (American Sniper) as the voice of Rocket; Michael Rooker (Jumper) as Yondu; Karen Gillan (The Big Short) as Nebula; and Sean Gunn (Gilmore Girls) as Kraglin. New cast members include Pom Klementieff (Oldboy), Elizabeth Debicki (The Great Gatsby, Everest), Chris Sullivan (The Knick, The Drop) and Kurt Russell (The Hateful Eight, The Thing).

(Photo: Marvel Entertainment )