Warning: The following includes spoilers for theGuardians of the Galaxy Holiday Specialon Disney Plus.Following the success of several series for the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney Plus, Marvel Special Presentations are becoming part of the normal lineup. Presentations likeWerewolf By Nightallow Marvel to test the waters with new characters and genres while exploring lesser known parts of the MCU. Presentations like theGuardians of the Galaxy Holiday Specialallow Marvel to spend more time with fan favorite characters in a new setting.
TheHoliday Specialgives Drax and Mantis the spotlight, but it also gives the audience a bit of fun without the high stakes of a galaxy ending event. While the duo try to bring Peter the perfect Christmas present, the special also has plenty of references to other MCU properties and Easter eggs for long time fans of the franchise.
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The Marvel Studios Logo
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe know that the logo is frequently updated with new images of characters as they are introduced to the movies. That’s true here as well. Eagle-eyed fans will spot She-Hulk as the logo forms as well as the character who now actsas the MCU’s Black Panther in their new suit.
Likewise, the comics that are flipped through before the MCU characters appear in the logo feature some interesting faces for fans. Runaways members Nico Minoru and Gert Yorkes, as well as X-Men member Rogue can be seen, though whethertheRunawaystelevision series is part of the MCU remains debated, and Rogue is not yet a part of the MCU.
The Guardians Gain Ownership Of Knowhere From The Collector
Fans will remember the Collector from hisearly appearances in TheGuardians Of The Galaxyas someone who was interested in the Infinity Stones. They might have believed him dead and gone after his encounter with Thanos inAvengers: Infinity War, but that’s not so.
Ownership of Knowhere (a giant skull of a Celestial that has become a mining colony in space where plenty of criminals find work) has transferred from the Collector to the Guardians while they sort out what’s left of his belongings there. That means the Collector is still out there in the MCU at this point in the timeline, but with his primary story function over, it seems unlikely that the audience will see him again any time soon.
Cosmo The SpaceDog
In the comics, Cosmo is a dog sent to space by the Russian government, but he’s also experimented on so that he gains the ability to speak and a few other powers. Whilethe backstory for Cosmo isn’t explained, the abilities are present in theHoliday special.
Cosmo is also set to have a large role inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, voiced by Maria Bakalova again.
A New Christmas Song
TheOld 97s play a group of aliens who just happen to have a talent for Earth’s musical instrumentsin the special. The real-life band has been around since 1992, but the first song they perform in the special is a new one. (The final song, performed with Kevin Bacon, is one of theirs from a previously released holiday album.)
The song features a lot of nods to existing holiday media for fans of the season. While there are more traditional thoughts about Santa Claus voiced in the song, there are also things included like, “he used to be a dentist.” That’s a nod to Hermy the Elf, who appears as a character in the animated classicRudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. The song is full of slightly misunderstood nods to holiday movies and stories.
An Eternals Nod
Avengers Character Actors (And More Characters)
When Drax and Mantis set out to find the legendary Kevin Bacon, they come across tourists having their photos taken with character actors in various Avengers costumes. Mantis mistakes one for the real Steve Rogers, and her running to hug him is likely a demonstration of how well she got to know him during the time members of the Guardians were on Earth to help fight Thanos.
Among the other costumed performers, however, are Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, and Black Widow. Black Widow’s is particularly interesting because she’s wearing the costume designed for the character’s solo movie, not one from herAvengersappearances, which is usually the case.
Also spotted among the performers is Jack Sparrowfrom Disney’sPirates of the Caribbeanfranchiseand a Go-Bot from the Transformers franchise.
A Robot Killed Drax’s Cousin
Drax attempts to go after the Go-Bot, which is just a man in a cardboard costume. Mantis explains that a robot killed Drax’s cousin.
Drax’s race has been decimated by the Kree, so it’s likely this is actually a reference to special robots created by the Kree, known as Sentries. While they’ve fought heroes in the comics, Sentries have yet to appear in the MCU.
Director James Gunn is proving himself a creative powerhouse when it comes to reimagining superhero stories. In addition to his MCU Guardians, he’s also the creative forcebehind theSuicide Squadmovies for the DC Extended Universe.
Flula Borg, who appeared as Javelin there, cameos as a bartender that Mantis asks about Kevin Bacon. Likewise, when Drax and Mantis get a look at a map to stars’ homes in Hollywood,Suicide Squadcast members Margot Robbieand John Cena appear on the map.
Santa Claus Conquers The Martians
When Kevin Bacon is at home watching television, he’s watching a very specific movie. It’sSanta Claus Conquers The Martians, a cult classic that was released in 1964. The movie was directed by Nicholas Webster, and actually features a storyline not that far removed from the holiday special. In it, Martians kidnap Santa because, unlike on Earth, there’s no mythic figure on Mars to give their children presents during the holidays.
When Bacon receives a phone call from his wife later in the special, that’s the name of his real life wife Kyra Sedgwick that appears on his phone. It’s also Sedgwick providing the voiceover work for the phone call.
The Bowie
Peter Quill continues his love affair with 1980s pop culture. His original ship was named the Milano, after actress Alyssa Milano. The current ship the Guardians are flying is named the Bowie, after musician David Bowie.
