Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Adds Kurt Russell to Cast, Starts Shooting [UPDATE]

[UPDATE] Marvel has now announced that production has begun on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 on its site. You can check out more information about the upcoming sequel there.

The original story follows:

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has started shooting. Director James Gunn confirmed that the Marvel sci-fi sequel was now in production, and announced some of the new cast members, including Kurt Russell.

Writing on Facebook, Gunn stated: "Official photography on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has started, and I couldn't be more stoked.

"My favorite movie as a small child was The Strongest Man in the World, so I'm glad to announce that, yes, Kurt Russell has joined our cast and, yes, he is more awesome a dude than I ever could have imagined."

"The last few days around here with him and our other new cast members, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, and Chris Sullivan, have been some of the best of my life," he continued. "I never thought anyone was missing from our island of misfit toys, but now that these folks are here there feels like there was.

"We'll have more surprises for you in the coming months. But, for now, this will have to do."

In December, Hateful Eight star Russell confirmed that he had spoken to Gunn about a role in the film, but admitted that he wasn't familiar with the first movie. "I don't know anything about it. I'm one of the four idiots who have never seen it, evidently," he told the HSH Podcast. "We talked to each other on the phone and I just had to be honest and say, 'Thank you for considering me, I have to read it and I have to watch the movie, because I can't bring anything for you. I got nothing to offer here.'."

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is set for release on May 5, 2017. It also stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, and Michael Rooker.