The Marvel Cinematic Universe has done a great job setting up characters and future storylines from their films, tv shows and special presentations. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special does just that. It’s fully expected that the latest Marvel Special Presentation will help set up what’s coming up for the GOTG franchise, which could end after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
SPOILERS for the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Below:
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special does a good job setting the stage for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. How exactly did James Gunn do that? Here’s how.
Early in the Holiday Special, the Guardians of the Galaxy managed to purchase Knowhere from The Collector. In the Marvel Comics, Knowhere is a hub for those traveling in outer space and is governed in part by a council led by Cosmo. In the MCU, it serves as an outpost where workers mine the remnants off the ancient Celestial being.
What wasn’t revealed in the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is how the team managed to buy the outpost, but it could be part of the storyline of the third film of the franchise. Since Knowhere is a major cosmic location within the MCU and it’s been confirmed that Cosmo (Maria Bakalova) will return, audiences can expect the outpost will play a major part in Volume 3.
Another key storyline that the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special has set up is the connection between Star Lord (Chris Pratt) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff). It was revealed early in the Holiday Special that Mantis is also Ego’s child, meaning she is Star Lord’s half-sister. This could mean Mantis is likely just as strong as Star Lord, if not stronger, and could assume her Marvel Comics role as the Celestial Madonna.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is now streaming on Disney+. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hits theaters on May 5, 2023.
