Marvel has had great success bringing superheroes like Iron Man, Captain America, and even the Incredible Hulk to the big screen, but the studio and comic book fans alike had concerns over whether or not a Guardians of the Galaxy film could see similar success. However, thanks to a positive response to the Guardians of the Galaxy trailers and initial buzz surrounding the film, Marvel announced at Comic-Con in San Diego last week that a follow-up has already been set for 2017.

“I’m so glad to have the first one done because I can’t wait to do more and not to have to set up as much stuff as I had to set up,” said Guardians of the Galaxy writer-director James Gunn, after Marvel announced he will also direct the sequel. “I have so many things in my head. I really could just live in this universe. Who knows what I’ll feel like in a few years, but I know Chris and I have said that we’re both happy just doing this right now.”

The first movie, which releases in theaters this Friday, revolves around a team of intergalactic do-gooders. Marvel proved they could pull off a superhero team-up film with The Avengers, which earned more than $1.5 billion worldwide, but since Guardians features a talking tree and a sarcastic alien raccoon voiced by Bradley Cooper, it was always going to be a risk for Marvel. Gunn, however, was never concerned.

“I could care less whether people think it’s risky,” said Gunn, confident that the film will find a fanbase regardless of its outer space setting. “In a lot of ways, it’s not a superhero movie. It’s a space adventure. We’re not just doing the Marvel thing again. It’s different. We’re expanding the Marvel universe. We’re not replicating the Marvel universe in space. We’re going about it in a different way.”

Unlike Avengers, which was prefaced with several films that allowed viewers who are not avid comic book readers the chance to get to know its primary characters in advance, most viewers will walk into theaters will no knowledge of the members of Guardians‘ super-team.

“It’s a challenge because nobody really knows who we are, and the cool thing about that is we’re starting from scratch,” said wrestler Dave Bautista, who plays Drax the Destroyer. “We can make it whatever we want it to be. The possibilities are endless when you’re talking about outer space and all these different civilizations. It can go as far as your imagination can go.”

The film may benefit from its slight connection to Marvel’s cinematic universe – the villainous alien Thanos, who made an appearance during the after-credits of Avengers, also appears in Guardians. Gunn had to fight for his brief inclusion.

“I wanted Thanos in the movie,” said Gunn. “I wanted to be attached to The Avengers. Admittedly, Thanos was a giant pain in the (expletive) because I had to talk with (Avengers writer-director) Joss Whedon and those guys. That was the one part where there were a lot of discussions. At a certain point, I think everyone just gave up, and we just did what we wanted.”

While Gunn had to seek Marvel’s approval for a lot of things involving the first Guardians, he says he already knows which direction he’s headed in for the sequel. Marvel’s announcement of his continued work with the series before they even find out how the film performs in the box office this week is a sign that he has the studio’s full trust and will likely get to take the series in whatever direction he wants.