Earlier this year, we learned that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Disney's new storytelling coaster, will open at EPCOT in 2022. That opening has been narrowed to "Summer" as Disney shared new details about the upcoming attraction during the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration.
In addition to the new timeframe, it was also announced that Academy Award nominee Glenn Close will reprise her role from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies as Nova Prime, the leader of Xandar and commander of the Nova Corps. Nova Prime will be stationed in the new Wonders of Xandar "other-world" pavilion at EPCOT (formerly known as the Universe of Energy Pavilion, which housed Ellen's Energy Adventure). In this new area, guests will experience a planetarium-type presentation where they will learn moer about Xandarians and their advanced technology.
Disney shared new concept art renderings of the Xandar Gallery, which basically looks like a museum to learn more about the Xandarian people, culture and history, and heroes. We know at some point, the Guardians of the Galaxy will show up "and adventure ensues in an intergalactic chase through space and time." Based on Disney's description of the attraction, it's unclear if the Xandar Gallery is an unguided tour that you can walk through before the ride or if it's part of the queue or if it's an interactive experience much like the Rise of the Resistance, which mixes moments of walking with the actual ride.
What we do know is that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is primarily a storytelling, family-thrill coaster attraction that includes two milestones: the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster and it will be one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world.
A poster for the attraction was also shared, featuring the cast of the Guardians front-and-center in front of the iconic EPCOT ball. Also shown is the OmniCoaster ride system featuring vehicles that can rotate 360 degrees and direct your eyes to the story happening around you.