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EXCLUSIVE: After a long search, Marvel Studios has found its lead for its next big superhero franchise, the James Gunn-directed Guardians Of The Galaxy. I hear the role will go to Chris Pratt, the Moneyball star who bulked up and played one of the hero Navy SEALs in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty. 
The role is Star-Lord, the Guardians leader who is the offspring of a human mother and an alien father. A puffier Pratt plays Andy Dwyer on the NBC series Parks And Recreation. He certainly has the charisma to hold the screen.
Marvel had made test deals with Zero Dark Thirty‘s Joel Edgerton, Boardwalk Empire‘s Jack Huston, Cloud Atlas‘ Jim Sturgess, Lee Pace (who has roles in both Lincoln and The Hobbit), and Eddie Redmayne from Les Miserables. More recently, Zachary Levi was identified as a candidate. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was pursued, but he has other plans. An August 1, 2014 release date for the pic is planned.
Related: Marvel Testing Short List For ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ Leader
Guardians Of The Galaxy first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1969 but didn’t get its own series until the 1990s. Star-Lord (real name Peter Quill) leads a group of alien superheros who team to protect the solar system from an evil alien race. The good guys are from the future, and another dimension. In the comics, the Guardians worked with The Avengers, so there should be opportunities to use Marvel’s big franchises to help launch the new one. That gives Disney a deep space companion to its plans to resuscitate Star Wars. Forgive the sacrilege, JJ Abrams, but I’m kind of more excited about this one than a Star Wars rehash.
Pratt is repped by CAA and Mosaic.
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PERFECT Choice for the material. Just perfect.
That’s awesome – he was excellent in the movie and in ‘Parks and Recreation’.
“Forgive the sacrilege, JJ Abrams, but I’m kind of more excited about this one than a Star Wars rehash.”
Rehash?
I think it’s a little early to label the new Star Wars stories anything at this point.
Journalism first, please.
I like Pratt and while I wouldn’t have guessed him and he’s a surprising choice I think he’s also a great choice.
but
I’ll say it…he probably needs to lose about 25 lbs to play Peter Quill. Sorry, but people would say that if they cast Christina Hendricks as Black Widow.
If he were cast as Foggy Nelson he’d but fine but for Star-Lord he needs to be leaner and more athletic.
I take it you haven’t seen his Zero Dark Thirty look. He got ripped for that movie and he’s good at fluctuating his weight based on the role. He’ll be in shape for the Guardians movie don’t worry.
Chris actually got very fit for Zero Dark Thirty, so I’m sure he can pull off the look.
He actually has lost significant weight I didn’t notice in Zero Dark Thirty but he really trimmed down for the role there’s a photo if you search on google and after seeing this I’m thrilled he’s doing this role.
AMAZING Casting Choice… Way to bring the funny, people. Psyched!
And if they are adding Emily Van Camp to the Captain America sequel, then Marvel has been very good to the former Everwood siblings.
He was excellent in Zero and deserves all good roles that come to him. He seems to be able to do it all.
Wow! This is perfect, Chris is great. First Emily VanCamp gets a lead in Captain America 2, and now another Everwood alum finds gets a huge film role! (it’s funny, the two used to date
)
I guess it’s true what they say, The WB truly was known for discovering superb, young talent!
Fantastic, I love Chris. Terrific casting!
Pratt has lost weight before for roles, both Moneyball and Zero Dark Thirty.
He probably prefers to put on the pounds to play Andy on P&R, who wouldn’t, but if he has 3-4 months to train, he’ll be fine.
OMG can’t wait. Epic choice, love him so much.
Talk about yer ideal casting choice!
Woo-hoo!
He gained weight for a previous role, of course he would lose weight for this.
I think this casting isn’t so much a Everwood/Emily Van Cardboard thing as it is a Kathryn Bigelow film/Marvel film.
Jeremy Renner shot to the A List after The Hurt Locker and now Pratt is getting some attention from Hollywood.
I am sure Chris will be terrific and I wish luck to the film but to think this could be some type of huge blockbuster is misguided. Non comic fans have no identification or knowledge of this story or these characters. This movie has zero stars and obscurity on its side. The only plus is its Marvel. I hope it beats the odds by delivering a very good film at a budget that can work.
It would hardly be the first blockbuster sold on zero general audience knowledge.
All true, but I thought the same when Iron Man was released, and look how that turned out (even with Downey the film seemed risky).
Same could be said for Star Wars, a movie with no stars and ridiculous characters like a walking dog. Except Star Wars had no previous history and didn’t have a brand to shoot off from, nor did it have an appearance from Iron Man
I had always pictured him as the perfect Thor. Good for him, though!
That’s not entirely true about the Guardians of the Galaxy not getting their own series in the 1990′s. They had a year and a half run in a Marvel comic anthology title called Marvel Presents from issue # 3 February 1976 – to the book’s cancellation in # 12 August 1977. I had maybe two or three issues when I was a twelve year old tyke and you can bet your no-prize that those issues will be jacking up in price at the next Wonder Con.
~
Coat
In the comics, these Guardians DID NOT work with the Avengers.
Marvel Comics wouldn’t let DnA’s stuff near any of the popular line.
Now the popular writer, Brian Michael Bendis, has snagged the Guardians and is bringing them to earth with the X-Men and Avengers.
Epic fail. lol
I think he’ll get in shape on time. Great comedic timing and he’ll get that smartass persona just right. I think when you describe Guardians it’s important to describe them as a team of rejects and castoffs. They’re a hodgepodge of mostly minor characters and freaks that when together were great. The ultimate underdogs.
Someone at Marvel Studios is clearly a fan of “Everwood”, then.
Next: Scott Wolf *is* Ant-Man!
ANDY! I approve.
What?I was sure Joseph had this role already,what happened?
Jim Sturgess would have been a better choice.
That’s not entirely true about the Guardians of the Galaxy not getting their own series until the 1990?s. They had a year and a half run in a Marvel comic anthology entitled Marvel Presents from issue # 3 February 1976 up to the book’s cancellation in # 12 August 1977. I owned maybe two or three issues when I was a twelve year old tyke and you can bet your no-prize that those issues will be jacking up in value at the next Wonder Con.
~
Coat
These Guardians, led by Star-Lord, are not the original Guardians who were from the future and an alternate reality. Two different teams with the same name.
I love chris pratt, but this guardians of the galaxy movie has failure written all over it.
Why? Because it’s like Star Wars but takes place in the Marvel universe, has an antrhomorpic Raccoon who uses massive guns and has an East london accent, and features an appearance from Iron Man? Fail written everywhere. I’m sure those shortsighted execs said the same about Star Wars.