Last September, Zach Riddley, Creative Portfolio Executive – New Experience Development, Walt Disney Imagineering, announced Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction will officially open sometime this year.

The new EPCOT attraction, which was supposed to be open in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, was delayed largely in part due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although construction continued slowly in the last two years, a significant part of the attraction had yet to begin – video with the live actors.

Among the necessary elements for the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction is the presence of the actors throughout the ride. The pandemic caused a delay in the filming of the new movie which caused the delay of the filming of footage for the attraction. According to Digital Spy, Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista have both said that filming started in November in Atlanta.

Today, on Instagram, Riddley posted construction of the Nova Corps Starblaster ship, which will be at the entrance of the attraction has started to take shape.

“A new year brings continued progress at EPCOT,” wrote Riddley. “Today I’m excited to share our team has started the installation of the Nova Corps Starblaster ship that will mark the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind entrance at EPCOT. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be assembling the 51-foot-tall ship, adding finishing details and tying in the landing pad area that surrounds the ship. Swipe for a teaser photo and concept art of the cockpit that’ll be going in soon!”

Riddley shared a number of photos from the start of the installation, as well as some concept art of the completed ship.

“Once complete, this ship will be the signature icon of the Wonders of Xandar pavilion and immediately establish the Xandarian storyline guests will discover inside this new attraction,” continued Riddley. “Plus, the bold blue and gold colors will make this a stunning new addition to World Discovery. We can’t wait to share more details as we bring the first-ever, full-size Nova Corps ship to life here at EPCOT (and you can join along and watch from the monorail too!).”