The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Will Introduce New MCU Heroes



Last year James Gunn teased that the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special would feature the introduction of one of the “great new Marvel characters”, which led to a lot of fan speculation about just who that would be. Now the writer/director has gone one step further to suggest that more than one Marvel hero will be making their first MCU appearance in the Disney+ show this December. Along with his expectation-setting suggestion that this is the “best thing he’s ever done”, the special is already getting more hype than the third Guardians movie that follows it.

Although not well known amongst those who don’t avidly read comic books, James Gunn has managed to make the ragtag group into instantly recognizable components of the MCU. Led by Peter “Star Lord” Quill and originally consisting of Drax, Gamora, Rocket, and Groot, with Mantis and Nebula joining later, the Guardians of the Galaxy have played a big part in the defeat of Thanos as well as having their own adventures along the way.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

Now the end is almost nigh for the current set up of the Guardians team, with the Holiday Special and third solo movie set to be the last appearances for some characters and for director James Gunn, who has suggested strongly that this will be his last Marvel project, having dedicated himself to a number of TV shows with Warner Bros. that spinoff his The Suicide Squad movie. When it comes to the upcoming Guardians Holiday Special though, the end coming for some characters seems to mean the introduction of others. In answer to a fan question about whether the Holiday Special would just “be a ride” or introduce something new, to which Gunn answered:

“More than one great new MCU characters will be introduced.”

Related: Which MCU Holiday Special Are Fans More Excited For?

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Will Be Relatively Short

Marvel Studios

Despite James Gunn having teased the appearance of multiple new MCU characters, he has so far not given any real indication about whom those characters will be. Over the course of many fan questions though, Gunn has ruled out some of the names that it could be, including Homer and the Happy Ghost. While these are some of the least likely characters to have appeared anyway, it seems that Gunn didn’t feel he was spoiling anything by dismissing them from speculation.

There are a number of new characters who are set to feature in the relatively near future of the MCU who could make a quick cameo appearance in the Guardians Holiday Special, including Nova or Adam Warlock, who is known to feature heavily in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 storyline. However, with a short runtime of around 40 minutes, the new additions will probably not be getting much screen time, or any kind of in-depth character development in the show itself, making some kind of cameo nod seem much more probable. Either way, the Guardians Holiday Special will premiere on Disney+ sometime in December, paving the way for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in May 2023.

Tragedy Girls’ Alexandra Shipp Joins Live-Action Barbie Movie

Read Next

About The Author

Anthony Lund
(1884 Articles Published)

Anthony Lund is an author, songwriter and puppeteer from a small village in the U.K. with an avid love of all genres of TV and film. As well as keeping up with the lastest entertainment news and writing about it for MovieWeb, he works as a video editor, voice over artist and production designer. A child of the 80s, he is the owner of almost 2000 books, more toys than his children, three Warner Bros. Store Gremlins and a production used Howard The Duck movie script.

More
From Anthony Lund

You can view the original article HERE.

Simone Biles Dresses Up and Celebrates the Friends She Loves Most
Simone Biles Dresses Up and Celebrates the Friends She Loves Most
Serena Williams Gets Real About Pace of Life in a Wellness Check-In
Serena Williams Gets Real About Pace of Life in a Wellness Check-In
Post Malone Takes the ‘Big Ass World Tour’ Down Under With Don Oliver
Post Malone Takes the ‘Big Ass World Tour’ Down Under With Don Oliver
Sara K Launches ‘Call It a Day’ With Feid As Her First Guest
Sara K Launches ‘Call It a Day’ With Feid As Her First Guest
Despina Mirou Ranks Among Top Global Contenders in Johnny Depp’s “The People’s Artist”
Despina Mirou Ranks Among Top Global Contenders in Johnny Depp’s “The People’s Artist”
Short Films in Focus: Trapped (with Sam Cutler-Kreutz)
Short Films in Focus: Trapped (with Sam Cutler-Kreutz)
Hulu’s “The Testaments” Returns to Gilead For Another Timely Tale About Privilege and Complicity 
Hulu’s “The Testaments” Returns to Gilead For Another Timely Tale About Privilege and Complicity 
Sundance 2026: Extra Geography, Filipiñana, The Huntress | Festivals & Awards
Sundance 2026: Extra Geography, Filipiñana, The Huntress | Festivals & Awards
Why was ‘Emily In Paris’ cancelled?
Why was ‘Emily In Paris’ cancelled?
Paul McCartney closes final-ever ‘Colbert’ episode with surprise ‘Hello, Goodbye’ performance
Paul McCartney closes final-ever ‘Colbert’ episode with surprise ‘Hello, Goodbye’ performance
We’re going to keep going
We’re going to keep going
Paul McCartney’s garden plans pruned by neighbour “suspicious” of his trees in council row
Paul McCartney’s garden plans pruned by neighbour “suspicious” of his trees in council row
Hart’s big night propels Knicks to 2-0 series lead over Cavs
Hart’s big night propels Knicks to 2-0 series lead over Cavs
Lamb claps back as Giants’ Harbaugh vows to ‘kick the Cowboys’ ass’
Lamb claps back as Giants’ Harbaugh vows to ‘kick the Cowboys’ ass’
SGA’s bounce-back effort helps Thunder even West finals
SGA’s bounce-back effort helps Thunder even West finals
Steelers’ Rodgers will retire after 2026 season: ‘This is it’
Steelers’ Rodgers will retire after 2026 season: ‘This is it’
Boston Blue Season 1 Episode 20 Wraps Up the Season With Plenty of Surprises (And an Unnecessary Cliffhanger)
Boston Blue Season 1 Episode 20 Wraps Up the Season With Plenty of Surprises (And an Unnecessary Cliffhanger)
Grey’s Anatomy’s Texas Spinoff Feels Less Like Expansion and More Like Brand Desperation
Grey’s Anatomy’s Texas Spinoff Feels Less Like Expansion and More Like Brand Desperation
Despina Mirou Ranks Among Top Global Contenders in Johnny Depp’s “The People’s Artist”
Despina Mirou Ranks Among Top Global Contenders in Johnny Depp’s “The People’s Artist”
Your Friends & Neighbors Season 2 Episode 8 Review: I Feel Lost Without Me
Your Friends & Neighbors Season 2 Episode 8 Review: I Feel Lost Without Me
Emily In Paris To End After Upcoming Season
Emily In Paris To End After Upcoming Season
Why Are Tourbillon Watches So Highly Regarded? Inside Fashion’s Latest Obsession
Why Are Tourbillon Watches So Highly Regarded? Inside Fashion’s Latest Obsession
Some of Our Favorite Looks from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival
Some of Our Favorite Looks from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival
This New Fear of God MLB Collection Is the Perfect Blend of Fandom and Fashion
This New Fear of God MLB Collection Is the Perfect Blend of Fandom and Fashion