Following the massive success of James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which received rave reviews from film critics and movie-goers alike as one of the biggest box office smashes of 2014, it is hardly surprising that Marvel Studios announced before the film had even been screened that a sequel would be arriving in 2017.

Despite photos being shared from the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 on director James Gunn’s Facebook page, the cast and crew are still in the rehearsal stages leading up to the official production start date on February 11th. As we edge closer to that date, we can only hope that set photos, an official cast list and synopsis will follow. Even though Marvel Studios typically try to keep details under wraps, it has been reported that actor/comedian Steve Agee is the latest to join the movie.

The news emerged from a Doug Loves Movies podcast (hat tip to Flickering Myth), where host Doug Benson had been talking to his guest Scoot McNairy, who are both mutual friends of Agee’s. When discussing the reason that Agee was not present on the show, Benson explained:

“…[Steve] just found out because he’s in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, he has to shoot that bullsh*t instead of being here with us today.”

Agee and Gunn have a previous working relationship as they recently teamed up for the American horror thriller The Belko Experiment (which Gunn wrote) and he also played a supporting character in Gunn’s superhero comedy Super. Some of the actor’s other credits include New Girl, Adventure Time and The Sarah Silverman Program; there had also been rumours circulating ahead of 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy that Agee could be part of the cast, but the director confirmed that he would not appear in that installment.

No further details have been given about the character Agee will be taking on in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - including, whether or not his role is of major significance. Though there are plenty of choices - he could easily transform into one of the new aliens in the movie, or perhaps he is laying down some audio for the rumored villain of the film: the Living Planet ‘Ego.’ Alternatively, he could appear in a cameo role, similar to Nathan Fillion in Guardians of the Galaxy, or some other minor role, like part of the Ravager crew headed by Yondu (Michael Rooker).

James Gunn is writing and directing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which stars Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, Pom Klementieff, and the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel – and now the mystery spot that Agee has filled.

Captain America: Civil War will release on May 6, 2016, followed by Doctor Strange – November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; The Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel – March 8, 2019; The Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 – May 3, 2019; Inhumans – July 12, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on May 1, July 10 and November 6, 2020.

Source: DLM Podcast [via Flickering Myth]