While 1978’s Star Wars Holiday Special infamously didn’t involve the saga’s creator, George Lucas — who once wished he could smash every copy with a hammer — the same can’t be said for Friday’s Disney+ release, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.
Guardians franchise writer-director James Gunn’s project perfectly fits into Marvel Cinematic Universe canon. The film has Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill/Star-Lord in need of some yuletide cheer, so his Guardians pals cook up a plan to surprise the Footloose fan with the ultimate Christmas present: Kevin Bacon.
Bacon tells ABC Audio he trusted Gunn so much, he was a “yes” right away. “Listen: I didn’t need any convincing. I didn’t even need to see the script. I knew it was gonna be cool.”
Bacon, a musician himself, admires Gunn’s musical tastes, and that plays a big part in the special.
Gunn, the curator of both Guardians movies’ classic rock-filled soundtracks, employs tunes ranging from “Christmastime” by The Smashing Pumpkins to “Christmas Treat” by Julian Casablancas; “Dead By X-mas” from Hanoi Rocks to The Waitress’ “Christmas Wrapping,” plus a new holiday tune from Old 97’s called “I Don’t Know What Christmas Is (But Christmastime Is Here).”
Bacon joins Old 97s for a track called “Here it is Christmastime.” The actor explains, “When he finally … sent the script, he said, ‘Oh, by the way, you’re going to sing in it.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, man, that’s amazing.’ That hadn’t even, like, occurred to me.”
He says of Gunn, “He does have a great sense of music. I love that Old 97’s song, you know. What a challenge to write a new Christmas song … It’s cool. It really is.”
Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Music notes: Taylor Swift, Bazzi and more
April 26, 2024
Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department has scored the biggest opening of an album in the U.K.…
‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy coming back to theaters
April 26, 2024
'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' - New Line/WireImagePeter Jackson's…
Kevin Spacey claps back after ‘Spacey Unmasked’ documentary trailer debuts
April 26, 2024
Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty ImagesThe trailer to Spacey Unmasked, a documentary about Kevin Spacey from…
Doja Cat’s message to parents: Keep your kids away from my concerts
April 26, 2024
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for CoachellaPlenty of artists who have young fans don't seem to have…
New Music Friday: The Chainsmokers, Jason Derulo and more
April 26, 2024
It's New Music Friday, and The Chainsmokers are taking it literally. They've just released a new…
Ryan Gosling sings again in new ‘Fall Guy’ stuntman tribute
April 26, 2024
Disney/Scott KirklandRyan Gosling apparently hasn't let his pipes cool down since his "I'm Just…
Jelly Roll says he left social media for more reasons than “bullying”
April 26, 2024
Disney/Eric McCandlessIn the April 24 episode of her podcast Dumb Blonde, Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie…
Lori Loughlin gives first interview following college admissions scandal
April 26, 2024
Loughlin on 'Curb' -- HBO/John JohnsonWhile she didn't mention the college admission scandal that…