Chris Pratt, famously known as Star-Lord from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, revealed how he nearly missed the opportunity to play the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter (THR), Pratt shared details of his first Marvel audition.
The Challenge For The Role Of Star-Lord
Guardians of the Galaxy Chris Pratt Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn faced many challenges while casting the lead role of Star-Lord. THR reported that Gunn and Marvel Studios frequently disagreed on the casting for the film. There were around 200 actors in contention for the role, including Zachary Levi from Shazam! and Glenn Howerton from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Casting Director Sarah Halley Finn convinced Gunn to consider Chris Pratt for the role, but initially, the director wasn’t interested. Pratt’s audition wasn’t off to a great start, and Gunn even stopped him mid-screen test, saying, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but you’re blowing it.”
The Turning Point For Pratt’s Audition
Guardians of the Galaxy Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax Gunn brought in Dave Bautista, who was also auditioning for the role of Drax, to help improv with Pratt during the audition. The two actors’ chemistry worked, and Pratt ultimately landed the role of Star-Lord.
During his interview with THR, Pratt admitted that he choked during his audition. Gunn had to motivate Pratt by telling him to be real and just be himself. Gunn told Pratt, “This is the moment right now. You just need to stop doing whatever you’re doing and just be real. Just be you.”
Gillan’s Audition For Nebula
Karen Gillan initially auditioned for the role of Nebula with her natural Scottish accent. However, Marvel Studios didn’t approve of this accent for the character. Gunn provided Gillan with a note to help unlock the character’s voice. He told her to emulate a mix of Marilyn Monroe and Clint Eastwood.
Pratt’s Success As Star-Lord
Pratt’s audition eventually paid off, and he landed the role of Star-Lord. His performance in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and his chemistry with the cast, especially with Bautista, solidified his place in the MCU. Pratt’s portrayal of Star-Lord catapulted his career, leading to other big franchise roles, such as Jurassic World and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Will Star-Lord Die In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is rumored to be the final emotional installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Fans speculate that Star-Lord might be one of the characters to meet his end. If Peter Quill dies, it would be a fitting end to a character that fans have grown to love.
