Everyone's favorite cosmic team of rag-tag heroes is returning to the big screen next year with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The movie will be the next feature film in Marvel's Phase 5 following Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, due for a February release. The official trailer has just been released, giving audiences a first glimpse at what's to come from Peter Quill, Drax, Mantis, Gamora, Groot, Nebula, and Rocket. The brand-new trailer can be found below.

The first trailer shows the signature soundtrack, heart, and emotions that will lead the way for the upcoming film. The official synopsis for Guardians 3 reads:

"Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own - a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful."

The film will see the return of James Gunn behind the camera, the mind and pen behind the franchise. The filmmaker recently released The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, already regarded as one of the best projects in Marvel's Phase 4. Gunn has spent years with the Guardians team, bringing the characters into the forefront in 2014 with the original Guardians of the Galaxy film before returning in 2017 with a well-received sequel. Now the director is headed to DC following his time on the third entry, though Gunn could certainly come back to Marvel if he should find himself with some free time. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is set for release later next year, debuting in theaters on May 5, 2023.

Related: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Described as a 'Sweet Departure' by Zoe Saldaña

Zoe Saldana Teased the Emotional Stakes of Guardians 3

zoe-saldana-gamora-guardians-of-the-galaxy
Marvel Studios

Zoe Saldana's Gamora has seen quite the ride in the MCU, with her character tragically dying at the hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. However, an alternate version of Gamora returned in Avengers: Endgame through the classic time-heist, though she was a different person entirely. Saldana recently spoke on the emotional stakes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, saying, "It's bittersweet."

"It’s bittersweet; after all those years of complaining about that green make-up, I find myself already nostalgic about it. There’s a lot of melancholy here, but also pride that we’ve achieved something great. James Gunn has written a beautiful story, that’s making us emotional even as we shoot it. Omicron plays a doozy on us every other day, but we’re getting by and we’re happy."

Guardians 3 is expected to be the final film focusing solely on the characters, though anything is possible within the MCU. Of course, audiences should see much more from the group as they continue to appear in various Marvel properties, though the extent of their involvement is yet to be seen. MCU fans have a lot to look forward to, with Ant-Man 3, Guardians 3, Secret Invasion, The Marvels, and Echo being just a few projects planned for release in 2023.