James Gunn Defends Casting Chris Pratt As Star-Lord In Guardians of the Galaxy

By Rudie Obias | Updated

This article is more than 2 years old

james gunnProduction on Guardians of the Galaxy starts this June in London, England. One of the earliest cast members to join the project was Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation, Zero Dark Thirty) in the lead role as Peter Quill/Star-Lord. Apparently some irate Guardians fan called him out on Facebook about Pratt’s casting, but Gunn was quick to back his pick:

Chris Pratt auditioned against A-list big-time movie stars for the most desired role around and Marvel was ballsy enough to back me when I wanted to hire him. I’ll love them forever for going with me on that. No other studio in the world would have ever taken that risk. Nor would any other studio in the world ever have hired me (or Joss Whedon, etc) to do this type of film. Same with the others. Anyone who has followed me for a while knows I either speak my mind or shut the fuck up. I never say I love something if I don’t. And, to be completely frank, I’ve been way more pressured to cast ‘names’ on nearly every independent film I’ve ever done.

It’s good to see a director stick up for their choices, especially if fans don’t agree with them. Chris Pratt will do a fine job as Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the new Marvel movie because he has a great on-screen presence and has charisma to spare. Gunn continued to say how Pratt is starting to look for the upcoming superhero space opera by adding, “Just saw Chris. He’s in amazing shape NOW.”

James Gunn has always been very vocal about his thoughts and opinions on the Internet. Not just with Guardians of the Galaxy, but almost every facet of his day-to-day life. Gunn has even gotten in trouble with women’s and gay rights groups about an online poll called “The 50 Superheroes You Most Want to Have Sex With” that he launched a few years ago.

As for the film itself, Marvel producer Kevin Feige officially announced the addition of Zoe Saldana (Star Trek Into Darkness), who will play Guardians‘ Gamora. Saldana joins Pratt and former WWE wrestler Dave Bautista, who will play Drax the Destroyer. Marvel just needs to cast Rocket Raccoon and Groot for the full team to be complete. It was also reported that Lee Pace, who was one of the actors who auditioned for the Star-Lord role, will be playing the film’s villain, The Controller.

Guardians of the Galaxy will hit theaters everywhere on August 1, 2014, in 3D.