Earlier this month, we brought you the news when Marvel Studios hired writer Chris McCoy to pen the script for their forthcoming big-screen adaptation of Guardians of the Galaxy, based off of an original draft written by Nicole Perlman.

Now, THR reports that after a lengthy search, Marvel Studios executives now are talking exclusively with director James Gunn (Super) about helming the the film.

[Below] Concept art of the team to be featured in Guardians of the Galaxy – Drax the Destroyer, Groot, Star-Lord, Rocket Racoon, and Gamora.

Guardians of the Galaxy is slated to hit theaters on August 1, 2014.