For the last few months there’s been a huge amount of speculation over who will play Peter Quill, aka Star Lord, in Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy. The likes of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jim Sturgess, Zachary Levi and various others have been in the running, but now Deadline reports that the role has gone to Chris Pratt.
Pratt is perhaps best known for the US comedy series Park And Recreation, but he’s also appeared in the TV series like Everwood and The OC. On film he’s popped up in Wanted, Jennifer’s Body, Moneyball and What’s Your Number, although it’s perhaps his recent role in Zero Dark Thirty that convinced Marvel he could take on an action lead. Pratt’s casting also perhaps suggests there’ll be more humour in this film than other recent superhero movie.
Peter Quill is a NASA astronaut who learns that he was born to a human mother and alien father. He ends up journeying into the depths of space, where he became embroiled in an intergalactic conflict. He’s eventually transformed into Star Lord, who leads the Guardians of the Galaxy in their quest for justice across the galaxy.
James Gunn is directing the film from his own screenplay, adapted from the Marvel comic book series. Other characters such as Drax the Destroyer, Groot, Rocket Racoon and Gamora have yet to be cast.