Ever since we saw the crew of the SS Milano take off into the stars with a dancing baby Groot at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy, we’ve been craving the further adventures of Star-Lord, Drax, Gamora and the rest of Marvel’s most lovable (and somewhat inept) starship crew. We’ve still got a long wait ahead of us, but this might tide us over for a while: Writer/director James Gunn has gathered the cast of the original film together again in Atlanta, where production is about to begin on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and the whole gang has been Instagraming up a storm.

As soon as they arrived on set, the Guardians began posting pics, barely containing their excitement for the soon-to-shoot sequel. Gunn posted a pic of the actors in their first rehearsal together, with the notable exceptions of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel, who’ll provide the voice of Rocket Raccoon and Groot during post production.

Chris Pratt posted our first glimpse of Peter Quill’s childhood Walkman, complete with his precious Awesome Mix Tape Vol. 2. And the queen of the sci-fi franchises herself, Zoe Saldana, posted the first photo of her getting ready to get back into the green body paint of Gamora. Also included among the pics shared is actor Michael Rooker, who returns as a space-pirate Yondu, and Jame Gunn’s bother Sean Gunn, who provided stand-in work for Rocket on set of the first film and will no doubt do the same for the sequel.

Not included in the pics are any newer cast members, although actor Kurt Russell is heavily rumored to be playing Star-Lord’s long lost father. But I’m sure Marvel doesn’t want that little casting announcement spoiled on social media.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 is set to hit theaters in May of 2017. You can check out the cast and crew’s various Instagram posts below:

Using Bautista as an example of good acting during rehearsals for #GotGVol2. With @zoesaldana, @prattprattpratt and @thejudgegunn.

A photo posted by James Gunn (@jamesgunn) on Feb 1, 2016 at 2:04pm PST

Feels good to be back in action on Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2!!! I can’t even tell you how excited I am. Ok I’ll try. I’m ecstatic. I’m bursting with joy. I’m overwhelmed by feelings of enthusiasm, joy, gratitude, conviviality, camaraderie, elation, exhilaration. I just used an online thesaurus for these words. I suggest trying that. That way instead of saying “I’m very excited” say, “I’m exhilarated.” Never too late to learn words. The pen is mightier than the sword. I never got that. I could whoop someone’s ass if I had a sword and they only had a pen. WAIT!!! Now I get it. Cause you could use a giant pen with a dagger on one end? And a gun on the other end? No? Whatever. Point is… Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. Is going to be the greatest spectacle film of all time. This is not…. bear with me… using online thesaurus….. Hyperbole! This is not hyperbole! A photo posted by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Feb 2, 2016 at 11:18am PST

It’s 3:20am. I got picked up for work at 6:45am yesterday. I’m not good with math, especially after being up for approximately 61 hours but I think I’ve been up for over 77 hours. I did a table read for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 this morning and then shot all day on Passengers and just now wrapped some 144 hours later. Weirdly both films, which iI’l be shooting back to back, are being shot in Atlanta at Pinewood studios. We have the best crew. Total rock stars busting their asses. And the stuff we’re shooting. My God. I can’t wait for you to see it. I go back in in about 8 hours to do more. I am doing what I love. It doesn’t feel like work. Even though it is. I’m having fun. I’m overcome with joy and gratitude. I felt like posting this to say to anyone out there chasing your dream… Fifteen years ago I felt the same passion I feel today, but I had very little opportunity. I had to hustle hard and go hungry. I had to eat sardines and figure out how to get gas money. And I never had a plan B. I never stopped believing. Ever. Don’t give up. Apply constant pressure for as long as it takes. It will break before you do. Go get it.

A photo posted by chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) on Jan 27, 2016 at 12:31am PST

All hands on deck- @guardiansofthegalaxy has started #GOTG2 #itsnoteasybeinggreen #greenpeoplerule —- #guardianesdelagalaxia #verde #extraterrestrial A photo posted by Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) on Jan 29, 2016 at 8:16am PST

Rehearsals for #GotGVol2 with @thejudgegunn, @michael_rooker, & #vonspears.

A photo posted by James Gunn (@jamesgunn) on Jan 28, 2016 at 1:23pm PST

Does the cast’s excitement for Guardians 2 have you even more stoked for the sequel? Let us know in the comments below.

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HT: Los Angeles Times

IMAGE: Marvel Studios