'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' will take place after 'Avengers: Infinity War'

Talks surrounding “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” have spiked as of late, what with the film’s recent release in theatres. More recently, director James Gunn, who previously announced that he would be returning to the director’s chair for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” divulged some connections between “Vol. 3” and the upcoming “Avengers” films to be released in 2018 and 2019. To be more specific, Gunn set the record straight as to where “Vol. 3” would be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline, especially in relation to the timing of “Avengers: Infinity War” and the still untitled “Avengers 4.”

On Twitter, Gunn was asked by a fan if “Vol. 3” would be taking place after “Infinity War,” especially since the former’s plot was set in the year 2014 — just a few months after the first “Guardians” film. However, Gunn’s response to the inquiry only prompted further speculation, as he clarified that “Vol. 3” would take place after both “Infinity War” and the fourth “Avengers” movie. With this taken into account, ComicBook thus speculates that by the time the next film comes out, the Guardians will have most likely already visited Earth. How this will work out in line with “Infinity Wars” and “Avengers 4” remains to be unknown, so fans have been throwing in their own theories on how “Vol. 3” will work itself into the MCU timeline for the time being.

Other recent “Guardians” news revealed that Gamora, portrayed by actress Zoe Saldana, would be having a much more significant role in “Vol. 3.” Gunn previously shared that he was already discussing plot points with Saldana regarding her character, though it’s still too early to see how Gamora's role will significantly affect the next “Guardians” movie. For now, fans can catch Saldana as the green-skinned Gamora in “Vol. 2,” along with Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon and Vin Diesel as Baby Groot.

On the “Avengers” side, “Infinity Wars” cast member Robert Downey Jr. — who has portrayed Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, in the MCU since 2008 — recently offered fans a chance to visit the “Infinity Wars” set in Atlanta. This was done in partnership with Omaze and funds the Random Act Funding grant (organised by Downey Jr. and his wife, Susan), of which the Boys & Girls Club, Toys for Tots and United Friends of the Children previously benefited from. The video campaign offered sneak peeks at the “Infinity Wars” set and even gave viewers a glimpse of Tom Holland — who portrays Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the MCU — in full motion-capture gear, suggesting that fans will later get to see Spider-Man in several actions sequences upon the release of “Infinity War.”