The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special will lead directly into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and contain some things that audiences will need to know going into the film. Director James Gunn first took the obscure group of galactic defenders and shot them to global stardom with the first 2014 film, following it up with a sequel in 2017. The Guardians were subsequently featured heavily in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame and many lauded their presence as one that provided much needed comic relief in the darker affair.

Now, the group are currently slated to appear in three upcoming MCU Phase 4 projects. First, the Guardians will appear in Thor: Love and Thunder next year opposite Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder. They are also slated for a third solo film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in 2023. Between the two theatrical releases, though, the Guardians will get their own holiday special that will debut on Disney+. Gunn is writing and directing the special and the entire original cast is slated to appear.

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In an interview with Collider, Gunn provided some new details about the holiday special. The director revealed that the special will use some sets that will also be used on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and said that the special will be in-canon. Finally, Gunn says that some of the things that will be revealed in the holiday special will come into play in the third film. Check out his full statement below:

It’s in-canon, it’s about the Guardians, you’re gonna learn stuff that you need to learn before Volume 3, and it’s great I’m really happy with it.

I’m gonna film it at the same time as the movie. I’m using a lot of the same sets, the same actors obviously, so we’re filming simultaneously with the film but it’s gonna have to be edited and finished sooner.

Guardians Of The Galaxy

Gunn's comments are just more evidence that Marvel is intent on interweaving their Disney+ properties and theatrical projects. The extent to which that would happen was unclear, but Black Widow's post-credits scene was the first instance in which it would become apparent after Yelena Belova is sent after Clint Barton. What the news about the Holiday Special means for the future of the Guardian's remains unclear, but Thor: Love and Thunder should give audiences an idea of where the special will be heading when it hits theaters in early 2021.

The last time the Guardians were seen, they were leaving earth with the God of Thunder and Peter Quill was intent on finding Gamora after she ran away. That story is unlikely to be completed in Thor: Love and Thunder or the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, as Gunn is likely saving that for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. As it is the director's last film in the series, it will likely be an emotional conclusion to the original group's story.

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Source: Collider

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