Fans now have the chance to see a chunk of "Guardians of the Galaxy" more than three weeks before its release, with Marvel Studios announcing on Friday a one-night-only preview screening of 17 minutes worth of 3D footage, happening at 150 IMAX theaters in the United States and Canada on July 7.

"We've re-mastered some of our epic sequences into the IMAX 3D format, taking the scope and scale to new heights while creating a truly immersive, cinematic experience that will take you further into the Marvel Universe than ever before," "Guardians" writer and director James Gunn said in a statement.

Interested parties can register via SeeItFirst, and attendees will also receive a giveaway movie poster. The previews are free, but first-come, first-serve -- so timing is off the essence. IMAX previews of anticipated summer blockbusters are fairly common, occurring in recent years for films such as "Star Trek Into Darkness" and "The Dark Knight Rises."

Scheduled for release on Aug. 1, "Guardians of the Galaxy" stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Djimon Hounsou, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Benicio Del Toro, Glenn Close and John C. Reilly.