Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3 is finally about to get in front of cameras after a massive production delay (James Gunn’s firing and rehiring by Disney) and there is new information that supports Chris Pratt’s previous quotes about the third installment starting production in November.

Recently, we pointed out that previous franchise cinematographers Ben Davis or Henry Branham were busy on other projects and might mean a new person might land the gig.

Someone has shared with us a listing from Production Weekly that names Canadian cinematographer Tico Poulakakis for the Marvel Studios sequel. His credits include Doctor Who, American Gods, Star Trek Discovery, Locke & Key, and the upcoming high-profile Isaac Asimov adaptation, Foundation.

However, we haven’t been able to confirm/authenticate Poulakakis’ involvement but Will Mavity on Twitter mentioned him for the project back in May (likely also from a previous Production Weekly listing as Mavity has posted grids before).

The listing also mentions a shoot that will take place from November 4, 2021 to May 2, 2022.

However, were previously able to confirm the film is indeed shooting in Atlanta (the United Kingdom is still expected as a location too), the visual effects supervisor will be Stephane Ceretti (Eternals, Guardians of The Galaxy, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man & The Wasp), and will have Hawkeye stunt coordinator Heidi Moneymaker crafting the film’s action sequences.

Beth Mickle (Drive), who recently worked with James Gunn on The Suicide Squad is seemingly still attached as Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3’s production designer.

The returning cast is assumed to include Chris Pratt as Peter Quill aka Star-Lord, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Dave Bautista as Drax, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket Raccoon, and Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot. 

Dave Bautista has indicated that this third installment will be his final outing as Drax.

Hopefully, we’ll start learning the names of new cast members very soon as the fall production starts looms closer.

We’ll see the Guardians next in Thor: Love & Thunder, but there role in the film is said to be minimal.

Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2 ended with a tease that Ayesha, Golden High Priestess of The Sovereign, is going to bring Adam Warlock into the sequel as his cocoon was shown. Gunn has since denied that Adam Warlock will be in the film among other rumors connected to the film including the casting of Star Wars actor Mark Hamill.

Back in 2017, Gunn told IGN that Adam Warlock would be part of the cosmic universe post-Infinity War/Endgame, while also dodging a confirmation of Warlock’s involvement in the third installment. We do know that Ayesha is coming back though.

A variant of Gamora from a different point of time in the MCU is also running around after the time-travel events of Avengers: Endgame.

Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3 has a release date of May 5, 2023

SOURCE: PRODUCTION WEEKLY