Five years after her last film as the protagonist, the Guardians of the Galaxy are finally back MCU in own production. in the Guardians of the Galaxy: Christmas Specialthe space mercenaries, more specifically Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (dave bautista), come to earth to kidnap Kevin Bacon (Kevin bacon), believing the actor would be the perfect Christmas present to cheer up Quill (Chris Pratt), who still hasn’t gotten over Gamora’s absence (Zoe Saldana🇧🇷 The fun and upbeat production may even have been made possible by the arrival of Disney+but it was already an old wish of the director and screenwriter James Gunn🇧🇷 In conversation with omeletthe filmmaker revealed he hinted at it as a joke but with genuine desire Kevin Feig to do an endofyear special featuring characters from the franchise he’s been in charge of since 2014. “He talked to him Bob Iger [à época presidente da Disney] and he said, ‘Let’s do it!’”
With the approval of the bosses, it didn’t take long for the idea to get off the ground. “Seriously, I wrote [o roteiro] in three days,” Gunn recalled, also saying that there were no change requests from Marvel and that even Bacon agreed to participate in the production almost immediately which was a relief for the filmmaker. “I was scared because I had already written the script and didn’t want to let anyone do it.”
Bacon isn’t the only major difference between the new Guardians adventure and the first two feature films. Normally relegated to supporting roles, Drax and Mantis finally have their moment in the spotlight, embarking on a journey that’s as touching as it is hilarious. “I love Drax and Mantis, I love them as characters and I love the relationship they have,” commented Gunn, who said he chose the couple for their anarchic energy and Bautista and Klementieff’s comedic and dramatic talents. “It was important to me to show audiences what they can do as performers, comedians and dramatic actors, especially Pom.” For the filmmaker, the holiday special is also a way to show the growth of the empath. “The last time we saw her [em uma história só dos Guardiões], she was an egodegraded figure. She wasn’t exactly her, but that was years ago and she’s an integral part of the Guardians family.”
As much as it is, apart from the grand events of the MCU, the Holiday Special Gunn served to advance some points made right at the start of Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3. “I used the special as a Trojan horse to introduce some things I didn’t want to explain [no filme]🇧🇷 The fact that the Guardians of Nowhere by Collector (…), by Cosmo (Maria Bakalova), the telekinetic dog that’s part of her environment now, and the other relationship we introduced was part of Volume 3 (…) and we were able to put it in the special so it wouldn’t take up so much time takes next function.”
As announced months ago, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will mark the departure of most of the cast introduced in 2014. Although the filmmaker, who also writes the group’s films, admits that writing the endings for these characters isn’t exactly difficult, he admits that it was sad to pull off the ending. For Gunn, he recalled where the franchise began and explored the importance of Rocket (Bradley Cooper) for the group was so moving that he could hardly hold back his tears. “I cried the whole time I was writing this, you know? I cried every time on set [filmamos] a sad scene (…). I cried talking to Chris that this would be the last time we would do one of these films. But that comes from my love for these characters, the people I work with, the cast and crew.”
Of course, the Guardians’ next moves in the MCU after Vol. 3 are still a mystery, but Gunn’s are pretty clear. Next to Peter Saffronthe filmmaker assumed the position of copresident of the DC Studios and will direct the cinema and television productions of Casa das Ideias’ great rival. Still, he guarantees his relationship with both labels and their fans will remain the same. “I am the same with everyone and everyone is the same for me. I’ve always been a fan of Marvel and DC, and will continue to be a fan of both as long as they release stuff I enjoy.”
While waiting for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and the first DC titles under Gunn’s helm, fans can enjoy an early Christmas treat with Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special, out this Friday (25th) on Disney+.