Marvel Studios' latest movie from director James Gunn doesn't hit theaters until Friday, but that doesn't mean that news about the "Guardians of the Galaxy" will slow down.

It seems that after the vote of confidence from Marvel at the San Diego Comic-Con giving the movie a confirmed sequel date for July 28, 2017, it looks like the "Guardians of the Galaxy" animated series is going to be here sooner than expected. While there is no word yet on when the new show is going to air, Marvel Animation and Disney XD did whet fans' appetite when the studio shared a one-minute preview of the new animated series at Comic-Con.

The plot of the series and whether or not it will reflect the action in the movie is unclear, but it sounds like Marvel is definitely going to try and capitalize on the positive buzz around "Guardians." As the release date has drawn near, positive buzz for the late summer blockbuster has been steadily on the rise. Without much competition at the box office, this perfect storm could mean big bucks for Marvel. Now the animated series could just wind up being gravy in the intergalactic sandwich.

Disney has already had the "Guardians" characters in animation form before as Peter "Star Lord" Quill, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot and Drax have all appeared on "Avengers Assemble" with Chris Cox, Nika Futterman, Seth Green, Kevin Michael Richardson and David Sobolov providing the voice talent. It would seem that an animated series is a natural progression for the film that many are hoping can save the summer 2014 box office.

The start date of the new cartoon may have to do with just how big "Guardians" opens this weekend, and if it has legs at the box office. According to Comic Book Resources, creative director Eric Radomski says that the "Guardians" would be making appearances in all of the other Marvel cartoons to keep them on the kids' minds.

This is all quite a boon for a superhero group that did not have much geek street cred five years ago. If the movie continues to track they way it already has, the "Guardians of the Galaxy" could be stamped all over lunch boxes by the time the school year begins.