It was hardly a big surprise given word this weekend and the positive buzz on the first film as it prepares to launch in cinemas. But James Gunn and Chris Pratt appeared on screen at Hall H at the end of this year’s Marvel panel to announce that, yes, Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 will be out on July 28, 2017.

Clearly, Kevin Feige and the rest of the Marvel brass have faith in Gunn’s vision for the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. Nothing of substance was detailed, but then that might be because Gunn has only just finished the first film, has been on a whirlwind tour promoting the movie around the world and deserves a well-earned rest before throwing himself back into the Marvel maelstrom.

The main Guardians cast – Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel – is expected to return the sequel, and you can start to wonder which villains the bunch of a-holes might have to take on this time.

The first film, meanwhile, arrives in the UK on July 31.