We have just been given our first look at the return of Sylvester Stallone in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 straight from the actor himself. Taking to Instagram, Sly posted a new photo of himself suited up in character as Stakar Ogord, further confirming his involvement and providing a tease at what's to come. In the caption, Stallone says, "Yes what's coming your way? Keep Your guard up!"

This follows another video Sylvester Stallone had posted to Instagram speaking about his return in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He revealed footage from the set showing some of the technology that will go into the production, with the actor saying how "moviemaking has definitely become a science." He also teased in the caption, "For those interested [in] what goes on behind the scenes for filmmaking. Here's just a very small part of it. Face duplication."

Always staying busy, this spot in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 comes directly after Sylvester Stallone wrapped up his work on The Expendables 4. That installment of the action series will put Jason Statham's character into more of the main role, and Stallone has suggested that he's moving on from the series. He was more than happy to reunite with James Gunn to do another Guardians movie, following his arrival in Vol. 2, as well as providing the voice of King Shark for Gunn's The Suicide Squad this year.

It was recently announced that Will Poulter has also joined the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as Adam Warlock, who will be playing a big part in the story of the third movie. Chukwudi Iwuji has also been cast in an undisclosed role after impressing James Gunn as a part of the cast of Peacemaker. We can also expect to see the main stars returning, including Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax, Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, and Sean Gunn as Kraglin.

James Gunn has suggested that this third movie could signal the end of his run making movies for Marvel Studios, but he's also teased new seasons of Peacemaker if The Suicide Squad spinoff series is successful on HBO Max. Dave Bautista has also said he feels like his run playing Drax the Destroyer is coming to an end, in part because it's getting harder to play shirtless roles as he continues to age. In any case, it looks like this third Guardians movie will cap off the trilogy with no plans for a Guardians 4, though spinoffs with certain characters are certainly always possible.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is scheduled to be released in movie theaters on May 5, 2023. Before then, fans can first watch The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney+ in 2022, though it's unclear if Sylvester Stallone will be involved in that as well. Footage for the special will be filmed during the production of the third movie. Check out the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies on Disney+.