The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special from writer/director James Gunn is coming to Disney+ in 2022. With the success of first Guardians of the Galaxy and then Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Gunn has transformed a team of misfit characters practically no one had heard of before into blockbuster superstars. The Guardians showed up again in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and at the very least Star-Lord is set to appear in Thor: Love and Thunder, if not more of the team. But it wouldn't be until Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 that the full team will reunite for their next adventure (or so we thought).

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was previously in jeopardy when Disney fired Gunn from the project back in 2018. Less than a year later, though, Gunn was reinstated as director following immense backlash from not just fans but the Guardians cast, too. With Gunn back on board, work was all set to continue - except, while out of work with Marvel, Gunn began working on The Suicide Squad for Warner Bros. Not until he had finished with The Suicide Squad could Gunn return his attention to Guardians 3. But now it appears there's still one more project holding Gunn back from Guardians 3.

Related: Guardians Of The Galaxy 3: Every Possibility For Where Gamora Is

During the Disney's annual investors call, Marvel Studios announced The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special - a new original special set to premiere on Disney+ in 2022. The special is written and directed by Gunn and is expected to see the whole Guardians cast return.

No other group within the MCU is better suited for something as silly and potentially sentimental as a holiday special. The Guardians can be funny and sarcastic, but when it comes to each other, they're sincere in their love. The Guardians are very much a family, and with Gunn again handling the writing and directing, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is sure to be a treat.

A big reason for the outraged response to Gunn's initial firing from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is because Gunn has become crucial to making the Guardians work. His sense of humor and approach to storytelling are key. Knowing he's also an unapologetic fan of the Star Wars Holiday Special hints at this special being both a send-up and love letter to the infamous installment. However, unlike that cheesy special, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special will be canon, so whatever seasonal insanity Gunn dreams up will be an official part of the MCU and could even serve as the lead-in for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Next: All 25 Marvel Movie & TV Shows: Latest News, Announcements & Reveals

Source: Marvel Studios