The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special was written in less than a week, according to Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige.
In a new featurette for the upcoming Marvel Special Presentation, Feige explains how an on-set joke by director James Gunn during filming on Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 became a sudden reality. "On the set of Volume 2, James Gunn said, 'We should do a holiday special," Feige recalled. "We all had a laugh and we thought it would be great... and then they wrote it like three days."
Feige announced during Disney Investor Day in 2020 that The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special would be produced concurrently with Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3. The project is directed by Gunn, who was heavily influenced by the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special from 1978. Gunn unveiled his first draft of the screenplay in April 2021 with a simple message: "This is the wrapping. The present is inside."
The Guardians of the Galaxy Spread Holiday Cheer
Set between the events of Thor: Love and Thunder and the soon-to-be-released Vol. 3, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special follows Guardians member Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) visiting Earth during Christmastime to lift the spirits of a melancholy Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). They come up with a plan to surprise their friend with the favorite actor of all time: Kevin Bacon. Gunn cites this Marvel special event as the greatest thing he has ever made.
"The holiday special is the greatest thing I've ever done in my life," Gunn stated. "It’s totally ridiculous, and every day we can't believe that we're making it. We all completely love it. It is unlike anything that anyone's ever seen before. I can't wait for people to see it."
Aside from the Guardians' wild pursuit of the Footloose star, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special will introduce not one but multiple new characters to the MCU who are said to be important in future projects. Additionally, Michael Rooker is set to reprise his role as the deceased Yondu, a Ravager and Star-Lord's surrogate father. How he returns in the special remains a mystery.
Following the release of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Marvel's team of space misfits will hit the big screen one last time for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Set for release on May 5, 2023, Vol. 3 will be the last installment of the current Guardians lineup and will introduce Adam Warlock, played by Dopesick's Will Poulter.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special premieres on Disney+ on Nov. 25, 2022.
Source: YouTube