This week's issue of Entertainment Weekly features three brand new images from Marvel's Phase Two sequel Guardians of the Galaxy, arriving in theaters August 1. As you may well know, this unlikely group of heroes, Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel), meet in jail, with the first photo showcasing their prison garb. The second image shows Star-Lord and Gamora holding a mysterious orb, while the third shows Chris Pratt running in full costume on the set. Check out these photos, then read on to see what director James Gunn had to say about how this Phase Two adventure is connected to future Marvel movies.

Guardians of the Galaxy is the only stand-alone adventure in Marvel's Phase Two, which is also comprised of Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and next year's Avengers: Age of Ultron. However, director James Gunn revealed to Entertainment Weekly that this movie, "is definitely connected to The Avengers 3."

The director also confirmed that the villainous Thanos will be portrayed through motion-capture techniques, and that he is "the head of the snake," in regards to the villains of this movie.

He also commented on Peter Quill/Star-Lord's background as a child in Missouri, while touching on the history between Gamora and Nebula (Karen Gillan).

"He was abducted from Earth (Missouri) at age 8 and raised in a group of thieves and smuggles called the Ravagers. He's good with the ladies and a little bit of a dick and very lucky. Thanos slaughtered [Gamora's] family and Nebula's, then raised them together as siblings. They were bio engineered to become living weapons, so he's really good at killing people."