Guardians of the Galaxy Returns in a Spectacular Holiday Special

The Guardians of the Galaxy return to Disney+ just in time for the holiday season. This Christmas special stars comedic duo, Pom Klementieff as Mantis and Dave Bautista as Drax.

Since Avengers: Endgame, Chris Pratt’s character, Star-Lord, has experienced many hardships. From losing his only father figure, Yondu, to grieving and recovering Gamora from an alternate timeline, Peter Quill is perpetually in a state of grief. 

However, as the holiday season emerges, Mantis and Drax team up to deliver a spectacular Christmas to surprise their fellow teammate. This surprising alliance between Mantis and Drax leads them to Earth to abduct Peter Quill’s hero, Kevin Bacon. 

Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation: The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is now streaming only on @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/tbqRF2gQzm

— Guardians of the Galaxy (@Guardians) November 25, 2022

Chris Pratt reprises his role as the team’s leader, Peter Quill. Dave Bautista (Knock at the Cabin) rejoins the cast as Drax the Destroyer, alongside Pom Klementieff’s Mantis. Sean Gunn (The Suicide Squad) embodies Yondu’s former right-hand man, Kraglin, while Karen Gillan (Jumanji: The Next Level) revisits her character, Nebula. The film will also feature Kevin Bacon as himself.

The Christmas film is directed and written by none other than James Gunn. He is well known for creating the infamous Marvel franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy, with action-packed sequences and emotional performances from the cast. In addition, he has recently jumped into the DC world, creating an exciting action film titled, The Suicide Squad (2021) and a DC series called Peacemaker. 

This year, Gunn returns to the MCU with a new film featuring Drax and Mantis on a Christmas adventure. In an exclusive interview, the Marvel director has revealed why this holiday special focuses primarily on Drax and Mantis from the crew of misfits. 

We’re #CertifiedFresh at @RottenTomatoes. Where’s my statue?! (They really do give out statues). #GuardiansoftheGalaxyHolidaySpecial pic.twitter.com/UBh7R8ZXDO

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) November 28, 2022

He reveals that these two lovable characters have been extremely sidelined in other Marvel movies. He believes they “haven’t been utilized so much, and so being able to really tell their story and put their journey at the middle of this was important to me.” He is excited for audiences to see the duo’s comedic performance, exalting how good Klementieff’s Mantis is in the film.

In addition, the Marvel director comments on how audiences barely got to understand who Mantis is as a character. While fans know Mantis as meek and naive from the second movie, she has become more developed over the years.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special was actually very cute. I loved Mantis even more and I’m glad Pom finally got her time to shine. She deserves it. pic.twitter.com/PeoTcZ6f6t

— alias (@itsjustanx) November 25, 2022

In this special, we see a new goofball side of Mantis. Not only does she stand up for herself, but Mantis is the central character that motivated the start of the film’s plot. It is a refreshing take on the character from her appearances in previous films.

Gunn has claimed that he always wanted to create a festive Guardians of the Galaxy film ever since the movie’s sequel was released. The president of Marvel Studios, Kevin Fiege, jumped on the idea to Gunn’s excitement.

This Disney+ film was released on November 25 and received positive reviews from audiences for its wholesome humor and heartfelt scenes. 

The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special was so spectacular. These guys are what really pulled me into the MCU, and to see something this adorable and cute 8 years later is so special to me. I love them so much pic.twitter.com/uE6Yhxgjdt

— levi (@beskarspidey) November 25, 2022

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Angie Han writes, “it’s exactly the holiday confection you’d want from this motley crew: shiny, fluffy, and just odd enough to feel personal.”

Variety’s Jordan Moreau declares it a miracle that Gunn was able to direct a “special and simultaneously make the third ‘Guardians’ film, not to mention switch allegiance from Marvel to DC and land a gig as co-CEO of DC Studios in the process.”

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is the heartwarming Christmas spectacle we didn’t know we needed this year. Fans can rest assured that we haven’t heard the last of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be the trilogy’s final installment. This upcoming film is to be released on March 5, 2023. Watch the holiday special on Disney+ here. Audiences can view the trailer of the Christmas film down below.