Director James Gunn has shared a disappointing update regarding the start of production on his Marvel Studios movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3.

As close followers of the filmmaker will know, his recent history with the franchise has been dogged by controversy, which first began with his sacking from the third instalment last year.

Hoping to resuscitate his career, Gunn quickly jumped onboard the soft DC reboot The Suicide Squad before Marvel eventually invited him back to the director's seat on Guardians 3.

Marvel Studios

Related: The Suicide Squad's James Gunn unveils first look at DC's Worst of the Worst

However, due to his commitments with DC, this means that his third Guardians blockbuster will obviously be delayed for a while.

Just how long it'll be delayed for hasn't been clear until now, with the filmmaker responding to a fan's question on his Instagram post.

Instagram

Gunn was showing off a "start-of-production gift" he received when one of his followers wrote: "Hey James quick question and correct me if I'm wrong. Are you filming Suicide Squad then going to do Guardians 3 afterwards?"

"You are correct," Gunn confirmed. "But I won't start Vol 3 until after Squad is finished editing, not filming."

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Related: The Suicide Squad's James Gunn shuts down fan theory about Harley Quinn movie

Although this news unfortunately means that Guardians 3 won't enter production for at least another year (realistically 18 months), fans should take solace in the fact that he's totally focussed on The Suicide Squad.

You can't rush perfection, folks.

The Suicide Squad is released in cinemas on August 6, 2021.

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