Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3 is set to go into production next year, it has been reported.

The third chapter in the Marvel franchise was plunged into uncertainty last year when director James Gunn was fired from the role due to a clash with distributors Disney.

However in March he was reinstated as director, with The Hollywood Reporter claiming filming could begin in 2020.

Soon! Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3 is set to go into production next year, it has been reported [pictured Chris Pratt in Vol 1]

Despite the filmmaker being re-hired, he has since signed on for other projects, also adding to the delay.

He will helm The Suicide Squad for Warner Bros. This is set to begin production this autumn.

The Suicide Squad is set for an August 6, 2021 release, meaning there will theoretically be time in mid-late 2020 for Gunn to begin work on Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3.

With regards to the Marvel universe - which is currently reaping the rewards of hit film Avengers: Endgame - 2019 is thought to see Black Widow and The Eternals filmed before the year is out.

Back on board: The third chapter in the Marvel franchise was plunged into uncertainty last year when director James Gunn was fired from the role due to a clash with producers Disney

Next year: The Hollywood Reporter is claiming that filming could begin in 2020

Disney fired Gunn, 52, in July last year after offensive tweets he wrote between 2008-2012 joking about rape, child abuse, and pedophilia resurfaced in the #MeToo movement.

The family-friendly studio publicly refused to be swayed, despite the Guardians cast - including Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana - signing a joint statement 'fully supporting' James that same month.

Revealing the re-hire, Variety added that the move comes after a series of meetings between Gunn and Walt Disney Pictures boss Alan Horn.

Indeed according to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney never even met with other potential directors, instead returning to Gunn to secretly sign the new deal.

Along with directing, Gunn will be writing the screenplay for the project, now expected to be released in 2020.

Following his firing last year, Gunn was snapped up by Warner Bros to write and direct The Suicide Squad sequel, starring Idris Elba, out in 2021. He will now juggle both projects.

Humble: Taking to Instagram on Friday, Gunn thanked his supporters and said he 'deeply appreciated' Disney's decision

Support: Among those responding to Gunn's reinstatement was Mexican actress Eiza Gonzalez, who wrote 'You are a sweet amazingly talented person'

Taking to Instagram on Friday, Gunn thanked his supporters and said he 'deeply appreciated' Disney's decision.

'I am tremendously grateful to every person out there who has supported me over the past few months,' he wrote. 'I am always learning and will continue to work at being the best human being I can be.

'I deeply appreciate Disney's decision and I am excited to continue making films that investigate the ties of love that bind us all. I have been, and continue to be incredibly humbled by your love and support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Love to you all.'

#MeToo movement: Disney fired Gunn in July after offensive tweets he wrote between 2008-2012 joking about rape, child abuse, and pedophilia resurfaced (pictured in 2015)

'We fully support James': The family-friendly studio was not at all swayed when the Guardians cast signed a joint statement of support over social media on July 30

Support: The Guardians cast - including Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana, seen here in the first film - signing a joint statement 'fully supporting' James

When Gunn was first fired, he issued a statement apologizing for his controversial tweets.

'My words of nearly a decade ago were, at the time, totally failed and unfortunate efforts to be provocative,' he wrote.

'I have regretted them for many years since — not just because they were stupid, not at all funny, wildly insensitive, and certainly not provocative like I had hoped, but also because they don't reflect the person I am today or have been for some time.'