During a Super Bowl LIV commercial break, Marvel Studios promised that the "universe [was] expanding." At the time, that meant canonical streaming series like WandaVision and Loki coming to Disney+, but since then, the expansion tagline has taken on a whole new meaning. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has debuted animated shows, brought characters from Netflix projects into their blockbusters, and is set to air two live-action Disney+ specials later this year.
Among those one-offs is The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, which will be the second time fans see Peter Quill and company in the MCU this year. Before their two in-universe appearances, the Guardians will first show up at Disney World.
"Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" will be opening in Orlando, Florida at Walt Disney World's EPCOT. The ride is described as a "family-friendly adventure" that features the "first reverse launch on a coaster." Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn has directed material that will be included in the ride but emphasized that it's "in its own universe."
While the rollercoaster's cutscenes are not part of MCU canon, a new trailer for "Cosmic Rewind" showcased a vibe that is straight out of the intergalactic franchise.
Disney Debuts Guardians of the Galaxy Ride Trailer
Who here has been to space?
Disney Parks unveiled a new look at the upcoming "Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" rollercoaster set for Walt Disney World this summer. The footage features members of the Nova Corps sending a distress call from EPCOT to Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Star-Lord. Rocket attempts to wake a masked Peter Quill before taking control of the Benatar himself.
The @DisneyParks Twitter shared its own 15-second trailer, featuring footage of EPCOT along with the warning that "space and time are rewinding" and a call to action to "help the Guardians save the galaxy."
In an official statement, Disney Parks confirmed the ride will launch on "May 27th" at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida:
"As part of the EPCOT transformation, strap in, get your game face on and crank up your mixtape as you twist, turn and blast through an awesome intergalactic chase. Welcome to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! A massive, first-of-its-kind family-thrill coaster only possible at EPCOT, where the Guardians of the Galaxy need YOU to save humanity on an amazing journey across space and time. Get ready to rewind, rotate and head toward the action through an exciting space pursuit. This cosmic trip will be one of the largest fully enclosed coasters in the world, featuring the first reverse launch on any Disney coaster!It’s Save the Galaxy Time! Starting May 27th, join the Guardians of the Galaxy on this exciting chase to make the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration an awesome adventure!"
The full trailer below can be seen below:
The Guardians Save Disney World
While the events of "Cosmic Rewind" exist outside of the MCU, the ride itself is straight out of the Guardians of the Galaxy films. The Benatar is exactly as it was in Avengers: Endgame, a Bradley Cooper-sounding voice comes from Rocket's mouth, and Peter Quill sports the same short hair Chris Pratt is known for.
That said, Quill being fully masked in the Benatar likely comes from the inability to get Pratt to film scenes for this trailer. Utilizing his red-eyed veil allows for that suspension of disbelief, as the fully-CGI Rocket and Groot are able to appear exactly as they do in the MCU. Interestingly enough, Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, and Glenn Close are said to reprise their roles from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies for the rollercoaster, although no footage of those four actors has been released.
Speaking of Groot, the humanoid tree is once again grown in this trailer. Fans have not seen adult Groot since 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy, where he sacrificed himself to save his newfound friends. The current MCU Groot is actually the original Groot's son, as confirmed by director James Gunn. Including an adult Groot in this ride emphasizes its placement outside of the proper MCU but still gives fans a familiar face that has been absent for nearly a decade.
"Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind" arrives at Disney World's EPCOT on May 27.
