This article contains spoilers for the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.The Werewolf By Night introducing horror as part of the MCU and the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special celebrating Christmas.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is a fun story in which Drax and Mantis travel to Earth, kidnapping Kevin Bacon as a Christmas present for Star-Lord. The story serves as something of a lightweight epilogue to the MCU's Phase 4, and it's an enjoyable watch, even if it doesn't exactly have galaxy-wide ramifications. That said, it does set up a new status quo for the Guardians ahead of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which will surely make it essential all the same. Here are all the MCU Easter eggs and Marvel references.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy Now Own Knowhere
The Guardians of the Galaxy have officially bought Knowhere from the Collector as their new home-base. The severed head of an ancient Celestial, Knowhere was introduced in the first Guardians of the Galaxy as a mining colony. "The bone, brain tissue, spinal fluid," Gamora explained. "All rare resources, highly valued in black markets across the galaxy. It's dangerous and illegal work, suitable only for outlaws." Presumably the Guardians of the Galaxy are attempting to lend Knowhere a little credibility. James Gunn has confirmed this particular idea will be important for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special Reveals The Collector Survived Infinity War
The Collector hasn't been referenced in the MCU since the Power Stone from him. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special reveals that wasn't the case, though, because Star-Lord bought the mining colony from him. Knowhere is still being rebuild after Thanos' attack, meaning it must have been derelict during the Blip.
Cosmo Finally Becomes Comic Book Accurate
Cosmo the space-dog has been a recurring background presence in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, initially introduced as one of the Collector's treasures. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special transforms him into a more comic-book-accurate form, granting him a voice unit and the power of telekinesis. In the comics, Cosmo was a test animal for the Soviet Space Program who was mutated by cosmic rays. Gunn has confirmed Cosmo's increased role is important for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which will reveal Rocket Racoon's origin story. It's reasonable to assume that Cosmo, like Rocket, will have been experimented on by a villain named the High Evolutionary, who will be played by Chukwudi Iwuji.
Santa Does Indeed Have Epic Superpowers In Marvel Comics
Tales of Christmas have become garbled in deep space, with many believing "Santa has epic superpowers." Hilariously, he actually does have superpowers in Marvel Comics, where Santa has been revealed to be a powerful mutant. He's not always a force for good, either, and on several occasions he's come under demonic or symbiotic control. This song really is a delightful and surprising Marvel Easter egg.
Groot Has Grown Up - With Major Implications For The MCU Timeline
Groot has grown up again by the time of the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, presumably setting up his new form in the coming threequel. This almost certainly Thor: Love & Thunder and the Holiday Special if they were set just a few months apart. It's likely Thor: Love & Thunder should be considered set in 2024, and the Holiday Special in Christmas 2025, giving Groot time to grow.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special Reveals Mantis Is Star-Lord's Sister
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special features a major change in MCU lore, revealing Mantis is one of Ego's children. This is a smart change, explaining why Mantis found her way to Ego's planet; Ego must have decided her powers were of use, thus deciding to spare her life. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's third act is even more poetically ironic after this revelation, because it means Ego was defeated by two of his children, not just one. It also gives Star-Lord the remains of a real family.
Gamora Is Still Missing In The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special
Avengers: Endgame thanks to time travel. This version of Gamora rejected Star-Lord and the Guardians of the Galaxy, but will cross paths with them again in Vol. 3.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special Features A Weird Kingo Easter Egg
It's easy to miss, but the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special features one of the MCU's few Eternals' cliffhanger ending.
Drax & Mantis See Avengers Cosplayers In Hollywood
Drax and Mantis enjoy their stroll through Hollywood, crossing paths with a group of Avengers cosplayers. It's particularly amusing to see Ant-Man given a place of prominence, because the MCU's Phase 4 films and TV shows have suggested Scott Lang has established himself as a celebrity superhero thanks to podcasts and an autobiography. This forms subtle setup for Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania, which seems to kick off with Ant-Man's fame going to his head.
Transformers & Pirates Of The Caribbean Exist In The MCU
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special confirms both Transformers and the Pirates of the Caribbean films exist in the MCU, with one cosplayer dressed as a transforming robot and another as Jack Sparrow. The Transformers nod is a fitting one, because Marvel Comics helped create the Transformers franchise; Marvel editor-in-chief Jim Shooter came up with the idea for Autobots and Decepticons, while comic book writer Bob Budiansky came up with the names and personalities for the first wave of characters. Drax is less than impressed to see someone pretending to be a robot, for a very personal reason.
