A member of the Guardians and former Avenger who is a genetically-engineered raccoon-based bounty hunter and a master of weapons and military tactics. [1] Though Gunn didn’t go into any more details, some of the internet is already latching onto that adjective “multi-dimensional” as a possible clue that the many realities of Doctor Strangecould somehow tie into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.At this point, that is purely hopeful speculation. (Though, we didget a hint that there will be some crossover between Thor: Ragnarokand Doctor Strangefrom a recent Ragnarokset photo.) Han, Angie (November 23, 2022). " 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' Review: Disney+'s Delightful Standalone". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022 . Retrieved November 24, 2022. Lamadrid, Amanda (October 25, 2022). "Guardians of the Galaxy Kidnap Kevin Bacon In Holiday Special Trailer". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022 . Retrieved November 2, 2022.

a b c d e f g h i Davids, Brian (November 18, 2022). "James Gunn Talks Writing 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' in Just a Few Hours and the Latest on His Final 'Guardians' Film". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 19, 2022 . Retrieved November 19, 2022.Flook, Ray (January 15, 2022). "James Gunn on Peacemaker E08 & Spoilers; GOTG Holiday Special Update". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022 . Retrieved September 25, 2022. The footage that was shown in Hall H hasn’t been made public, James Gunn is cool with giving you a look at what’s coming in some other ways, like this reveal of the new squad of Yondu’s Ravagers. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special was released on Disney+ on November 25, 2022. [11] A special screening occurred on November 18, 2022, at NeueHouse in Hollywood. [55] It is the conclusion of Phase Four of the MCU. [29] Reception [ edit ] Audience viewership [ edit ] Anderton, Joe (November 24, 2022). "Guardians of the Galaxy episode removed from Disney+ after it spoils Holiday Special". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022 . Retrieved November 24, 2022. Hewitt, Chris (November 24, 2022). "The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special Review". Empire Online. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022 . Retrieved November 25, 2022.

Gag Reel– Laugh out loud at all the hilarious off-script shenanigans and bloopers that took place on the set of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” featuring all your favorite Guardians.

Visionary Intro– Director James Gunn provides context on how he continues and expands the storylines of these beloved characters in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” Finalists Announced for 2022 California on Location Awards". PR Newswire (Press release). Archived from the original on December 28, 2022 . Retrieved December 27, 2022. – via "Finalists – California On Location Awards". California On Location Awards . Retrieved December 27, 2022. Chitwood, Adam (July 27, 2021). "James Gunn Says the 'Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' Contains "Stuff You Need to Learn Before 'Vol. 3'"". Collider. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021 . Retrieved July 27, 2021. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2014–2019; season 1 main title sequence, animated transitions and season 4 "Our Twisted Fate") Vary, Adam B. (December 23, 2020). "How Marvel Studios Is Reassembling for 2021 and Beyond". Variety. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021 . Retrieved January 11, 2021.

Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, and Michael Rooker reprise their roles as the Guardians from previous MCU media, with the special also featuring the band Old 97's and Kevin Bacon as a fictionalized version of himself. Gunn had worked on the concept for the special during the production of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) before it was announced in December 2020. Filming occurred from February to late April 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, during the production of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).Jirak, Jamie (May 6, 2022). "Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Wraps Filming". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022 . Retrieved May 6, 2022.

Prange, Stephanie (November 30, 2022). " 'Guardians' Holiday Special, 'Andor' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts". Media Play News. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022 . Retrieved December 3, 2022. After the celebration, Quill reveals to Mantis that Yondu eventually changed his mind about Christmas and gifted him a pair of blasters which now serve as his primary weapons. Mantis confides in him that she is Quill's half-sister, after years of refusing to tell him the truth out of fear of reminding him of his father Ego's misdeeds, [b] to Quill's surprise and elation. Pom Klementieff as Mantis: A member of the Guardians with empathic powers and Quill's half-sister. [1] a b c Bethea, Ken (November 22, 2022). "An Out of This World Old 97's Show". D Magazine. Archived from the original on December 6, 2022 . Retrieved December 6, 2022. Petski, Denise (December 10, 2020). " 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' Holiday Special, Baby Groot Series Set For Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020 . Retrieved December 10, 2020.The main cast members of the Guardians films are featured, [25] focusing on Drax the Destroyer and Mantis. Gunn decided to focus on the Drax and Mantis relationship in the special because he felt those characters had been "sidelined" in their appearances outside of the Guardians of the Galaxy films between Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). He described the two of them as "kind of like Abbott and Costello, but both are Costellos", [26] adding, "They do not have any of the values that human beings normally have, so they don't have the same boundaries that we have. They're like following an unattended fire hose around." [4] Mantis actress Pom Klementieff called the Holiday Special "very goofy and very funny and cute" while "also very rooted in something much, much deeper and more beautiful and heartfelt". [27] Deboer, Riley (August 1, 2022). "Guardians of the Galaxy LEGO Set May Offer First Holiday Special Clues". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on August 2, 2022 . Retrieved August 1, 2022. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2arrives on various digital formats on August 8, and then gets a physical release on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD on August 22nd. The special was originally supposed to be shot during Vol. 3 's initial production time in 2019, before several production delays. [34] A day of filming in Los Angeles for the special had been expected by early January 2022, but did not occur due to the COVID-19 Omicron variant. [39] The Old 97's filmed their roles in March 2022. [8] Filming occurred around the Atlanta Country Club in late March, with various Christmas-themed decorations being used, [40] and at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on April 28, with Bautista and Klementieff. The set featured various Christmas-themed decorations and posters of Kumail Nanjiani's character Kingo from the MCU film Eternals (2021). [41] Filming of the special wrapped by the end of April. [42]