As the calendar switched from 2012 to 2013, Marvel Studios’ search for a new face to lead the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy and their efforts to explore the cosmic realm of the Marvel Comics universe dominated the headlines. In a similar frenzy of rumors and reports to the audition processes behind the search for Thor and Captain America, over a dozen names surfaced as contenders to play Star-Lord, the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy cosmic Avengers.
Now, that search has discovered the first talent to join the cast of James Gunn’s “twisted” sci-fi superhero blockbuster.
Deadline has the scoop that Marvel Studios has finally cast Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord and that Chris Pratt is going to be the face of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Pratt, more recognizable for his characters than his real name, is most commonly known for playing Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation, but in recent years has made a significant mark in Hollywood for scene-stealing roles in Moneyball, The Five-Year Engagement and most recently, Zero Dark Thirty.
Chris Pratt (center) and Joel Edgerton (right) in Zero Dark Thirty
This unexpected casting choice does fit in with James Gunn’s style of comedic movies and the previous rumors about the studio expressing interest in the likes of Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey for an unspecified role in Guardians of the Galaxy. There’s a clear intent here to make these otherworldly characters likable through Gunn’s style of humor. Pratt can do drama, comedy and action and he’s incredibly charming on screen, making him a smart pick for Marvel.
Ignoring the rumors about Robert Downey Jr. potentially meeting the Guardians team in a post-credits scene for Iron Man 3 and the possibility of him making an appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy, Pratt is the first member of what’s going to be a large roster of newcomers to the franchise.
In addition to beating out his Zero Dark Thirty co-star Joel Edgerton – who’s also been rumored for Doctor Strange - Pratt won the role over Wes Bentley, Chris Lowell, Cam Gigandet, Jack Huston, Jim Sturgess, Lee Pace, Eddie Redmayne, Garrett Hedlund, James Marsden, Sullivan Stapleton, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zachary Levi, Michael Rosenbaum and John Krasinski.
While not embracing a superhero physique in many of his on-screen roles, Pratt did skinny down for Moneyball and muscle up for Zero Dark Thirty. Check out this pic… if you didn’t think Pratt were fit for the part:
Iron Man 3 releases May 3, 2013, Thor: The Dark World on November 8, 2013, Captain America: The Winter Soldier on April 4, 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy on August 1, 2014, The Avengers 2 on May 1, 2015, Ant-Man on November 6, 2015, and Doctor Strange sometime after that.
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Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes for all your Marvel movie needs.
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Marvel must like guys named Chris
Lol!
This is amazing news.
I don’t expect much from a movie that has a talking tree and a talking raccoon, i’ll pass
Groot pretty much just say’s his name.
Kinda like Arnold Scwartzenwhager.
Oops, spelling–tsk, tsk. I meant to say Schwartzenwhanger! Looks like the whanger was me!
You’re going to miss out on all the fun.
Awesome…..I love Pratt, think he’s great in everything I’ve seen him in
Really like it
I think he’s an interesting choice, so I’ll give it a chance just because no one ever thought RDJ would make a good Iron Man, and no one thought Heath Ledger would be a good Joker, and look how that turned out. Also I do believe JGL turned it down because he’s probably going to end up doing other DC projects, so it wouldn’t make sense for him to be involved in a Marvel film.
I guess Chris Evans and Ryan Reynolds didnt get the memo that they cant appear in both Marvel and DC films then?
The hell are you talking about Chris Evans and RR involved with DC?
Evans is contracted for 4-5 films for Marvel, and Reynolds did “Green Lantern”, he’s not apart of the MCU. Get ur fact straight.
He was just stating that Chris Evans and Ryan Reynolds appeared in both Marvel and DC adaptations. Evans played The Human Torch and Captain America from Marvel and was in The Losers which was an adaptation of a series published by DC. Ryan Reynolds played Hannibal King from Blade 3 and the character Deadpool, both from Marvel and then played Hal Jordan in the Green Lantern from DC. Get YOUR facts straight.
Actually, as reported here on SR, JGL has no plans for future DC projects and is right now involved with Sin City 2 which is made by lesser known publisher Dark Horse Comics, so there’s no reason he wouldn’t do a Marvel movie. If the part was right for him ofcourse.
And you really believe that? No one knows for sure if he’ll be involved with DC comics, also the Sin City shooting shouldn’t take so long, and Guardians of the Galaxy is set to start filming in 5 months, what other major project does he have? As for Ryan and Chris, I think they did those films because Fantastic Four wasn’t getting anywhere, and Green Lantern was awful.
I’m not sure about any plans for other DC properties, but if you are referring to him reprising his role as John “Robin” Blake, yes I do believe it, it ain’t happening, Justice League will have Bruce Wayne, get over it.
Great article Rob and I cannot wait for the next round of Marvel news, Hopefully it comes on fast now!
Thanks!
Love, love, LOVE this casting choice! Surprise? Yes. But brilliant considering Pratt’s small but ample body of work! Like the article says, he can do drama, comedy (scene stealer in Five Year Engagement) and action. Perfect summation for Star Lord!
I like it too, it’s definitely different, and Pratt deserves it.
Because of the tree-guy and raccoon ranger, I do not think they should make this movie. I hope I am proved wrong in thinking it is going to cheapen The Avengers, and be a little too out there.
Why Do You Find It Hard For This Movie To Happen?
No kidding. People went in droves to see LOTR and those dumb Narnia movies and they had all kinds of talking critters and trees and such. GotG may not be a big title but it’s a Marvel property and that alone will draw in the unfamiliar.
That’s like saying that you think it would be a good idea for something like Sin City to mix with LOTR. Both are fiction so they must work together.
They’ve already established their universe. Yes, I know that there are fictional things in it b/c it’s a fiction movie, but having a Norse God is different than having a talking raccoon and tree. They are cheapening the brand. I’m not saying it won’t be a good movie, but it has to be great for it to fit in at MCU because, believe it or not, there are different levels of these fictional elements. Might as well put Howard the Duck in there too. He was Marvel.
I’m going to reserve my opinion because I really haven’t seen him in anything (no I don’t watch P&R or seen the movies mentioned)
I don’t hate the choice though so I’m at least willing to keep an open mind.
I’ve seen a few eps of P&R and I watched Moneyball a while back.
He was pretty forgettable in Moneyball IMO, but he’s very funny on P&R. He’s definitely a nice guy if that mean anything… as far as his acting goes, I think Zero Dark Thirty should give a good indication of that.
It’s definitely an interesting choice.
We’ll have to wait and see what happens.
But @Marvel & James Gun: please, please no Adam Sandler. PLEASE!
I honestly don’t remember him in Moneyball.
Another Everwood alum into the Marvel big-screen universe. That makes me happy. Usually, I’m all about the serious storylines, but with Pratt and a talking racoon, I already think that I’m going to like Guardians.
Seemsn like a good choice hope this ones good
to all the nay-sayers, i have 2 words for you:
Christopher
Reeve
!
I’m pretty sure he’s not available to play Star Lord, since he’s dead. But even if he were still alive, he was a quadriplegic. Woulda been an awful lot of work to CG his head onto another actor’s body for an entire movie.
/s
I’m thinking he was pointing out how people didn’t think he was going to be a good, or even great Superman, and now its an iconic role that cemented his stardom, of sorts, with the comic book fans.
You’re right though, he did dead. I’m sure everyone knows he’s dead. those who care, that is.
And even if he wasnt a quadriplegic, he would still be too old for the part.
Great choice. Pratt is severely underrated and hugely versatile when given the chance. And behind the scenes, he’s a true good guy. Props to Gunn for making a great choice. Always awesome when good things happen to good ppl.
Personally I have loved Pratt in everything he’s done ( I’ve yet to see ZDT but it is on my list of must sees). I think it’s a great casting, obviously the head guys saw something they liked in him, and honestly I have yet to be greatly disappointed in a casting in the MCU. I give it a thumbs up. I think Marvel is banking in fans being so invested in the MCU that they go to it. I know I plan on being at every opening night for each film in each phase, regardless of who is cast. I’m invested, and they have my attention as long as they produce quality, which so far they have done.
great pick, looking forward to this more than any other marvel film!
+1
Although, I look forward to them all.
This is a very nice surprise. I was nervous about this role, but know I worry about the other ones, the voice of Rocket Raccoon is next perhaps Ricky Gervais,Drax could go to Dwayne Johnson couldn’t think of big sized actor that can act and Johnson has star power,Gamora is Gina Carano actual can fight and after Fast 6 will have made a name for herself, as for Groot give it to Kevin Grevioux form Underworld “GROOT ARGGH” is all is needed really.
It really depends which Drax they use. In the Guardians Comic, they use the smart Drax. The smart Drax is 5’9″ and isn’t as big as The Rock. He’s jacked but not as big. I’d say Manu Bennett would be the best fit for smart Drax. He has skill with a sword as seen as Crixus from Spartacus and he knows how to act.
Dumb Drax is 7’4″ and has a lot of mass. When he talks, he speaks very simple sentences and speaks in the 3rd person. For dumb Drax, you could get away with Dave Batista. However I wouldn’t want dumb Drax to be in the movie.
Adrianne Palicki would be best for Gamora IMO.
The New Smart Drax is 6’4″, Not 5’9″, get your facts right
Nah, in his Human (Arthur Douglas) form he’s 6’4″
Look here: http://marvel.com/universe/Drax
Edit*
Oops, my bad, yeah I read it wrong before;
Height Now (smart form) is 6’4″
As Arthur Douglas, 5’9″
In most powerful body, 7’4″
Even still tho, my opinion hasn’t changed, I won’t want The Rock or Diesel to play Drax. People won’t see Drax for Drax, if they do play him.
Manu Bennett or Joe Manganiello would be good for Drax.
GotG is a risk, but so is every superhero movie. Frankly I thought Thor was silly and boring, but it did exactly what it needed to do and I (as expected) liked Thor as part of the Avengers. GotG is less of a risk than Thor IMO, plus GotG has the advantage of riding a wave of Avenger tie-ins. There are three huge Marvel movies until this one. I expect a few teasers. By that time Marvel will be marketing GotG as an essential prelude to Avengers 2.
As I’ve said, I like the casting.
Good casting IMO.
Ryan Hurst or Michael Jai White would make a good Drax. Though I’m hoping white will play Luke Cage.
I think they need to let Andrea Romano handle the voice direction and get some of the veteran animation voice actors, if you have Adam Sandler or The Rock etc youre gonna hear that celebrity and not the character and it takes away from the immersion.
I agree completely. I noticed that very thing in ‘Hotel Transylvania’. The voices were so famous and distinct that I couldn’t focus on the characters. I kept seeing Adam Sandler and David Spade every time they spoke, rather than Dracula and the Invisible Man (well, didn’t really see the invisible man anyway.. but you get my point!)
That is exactly what I took from reading the article. It sounded like Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey were only mentioned to be in the running for the voices of Rocket Raccoon and Groot. My two cents is that Rocket Raccoon should have an Australian accent just like in Marvel vs. Capcom 3. He sounds amazing in that voice and would go over really well on the big screen I think.
Great pick, Marvel.
This movie is going to be a BOMB!