Although James Gunn has become the co-CEO of DC Studios along with Peter Safran, his last Marvel film has yet to be released. Fans are still anxious about the premiere of Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3. There have been rumors that concern the film’s potential runtime, which is said to be two and a half hours long (Deadline).

To address the issue, Gunn took to Twitter in reply to a fan who asked whether the speculated runtime was indeed true. The director said: “It’s around that long, although that’s not yet exact. And, I promise, not a second is wasted. There’s no fat. It was necessary to experience the full arc for every major Guardians character, not only for this film, but for the trilogy (or, I should say, trilogy plus).” In a separate tweet, Gunn noted that the ambiguous runtime was due to a matter of finalizing the end credits.

It’s around that long, although that’s not yet exact. And, I promise, not a second is wasted. There’s no fat. It was necessary to experience the full arc for every major Guardians character, not only for this film, but for the trilogy (or, I should say, trilogy plus). https://t.co/HwqXOtzesm

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 26, 2023

While the reply calmed most of the discussion regarding the runtime, it sparked new excitement over the parenthetical notation: “(or, I should say, trilogy plus).” Some even wondered if this implied a fourth film was in the works.

On Twitter, Gunn quieted fans again, saying, “The ‘trilogy plus’ is the trilogy plus the Holiday Special, [Infinity War] and Endgame.”

The “trilogy plus” is the trilogy plus the Holiday Special, IW and Endgame. https://t.co/AEhZA4We7i

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 26, 2023

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 releases May 5, 2023.