James Gunn, who wrote and directed the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, released a shot from the set with Michael Rooker as Yondu and Luke Klein as a young Peter Quill. He also revealed how the animated elements of the Disney+ special were created.
Although Rooker and Klein only make an animated appearance in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, they were both presents during filming. Gunn shared a picture of the two wearing their Ravagers costumes on social media. However, Rooker is not donning the prosthetics and makeup that would have transformed him into Yondu in the live-action version of the movie.
Gunn stated on Instagram, “We employed old-school rotoscoping animation for [The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special] in the style of the Ralph Bakshi films I adored growing up — and giving us that [the 1970s and ’80s] nostalgic Christmas Special feel. “Actors Luke Klein, Michael Rooker, and Sean Gunn were recorded, and we later frame-by-frame analyzed the video. Sean’s size was decreased to that of his younger self, Rooker’s fin was inserted, and Luke’s looks were changed to more nearly reflect those of a young Peter. The animation work of [Stoopid Buddy Stoodios] is fantastic.”
It’s Christmastime right now
Although the majority of The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is live-action, it is bookended by animated segments that tell the tale of Peter Quill’s (Klein) first Christmas after being kidnapped by the Ravagers. Youndu (Rooker) and Kraglin (Sean Gunn) also play significant roles in these animated segments. In the animated segment of the program, Rooker reprises his role as the late Yondu, and Klein succeeds Wyatt Oleff in the part of the young Peter Quill.
Mantis and Drax are the major subjects of the show, which is narrated by Pom Klementieff (Dave Bautista). The two set off on a mission to preserve Christmas for the now-adult Peter Quill/Star-Lord after learning only half the truth from Kraglin and concluding that Yondu wrecked the occasion (Chris Pratt). They try to accomplish this by giving the Guardians of the Galaxy leader a Christmas present which turns out to be actor Kevin Bacon (playing himself). They have no idea that Yondu wasn’t really a Grinch after all.