Chris Pratt says Marvel Studios has moved past talking about Star-Lord’s return and taken “hard action” to bring him back. Pratt made the remarks on The Playlist’s “Bingeworthy” podcast while promoting the second season of “The Terminal List.” He described a strong relationship with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and producer Lou D’Esposito, and said conversations about keeping the studio’s promise are continuing. He would not say when fans will see the character. “He’s not going anywhere,” Pratt said. Marvel declined to comment.
The promise dates to 2023, when the credits of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” carried the line “The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return.” That film ended with Peter Quill retiring to Earth after playing the character across six movies since 2014. The title borrows from a short 2015 comic run.
Pratt has campaigned for a comeback. Earlier this year, during his press tour for “Mercy,” he told the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast he had pitched Marvel an idea for Quill’s return, which he called “fucking great,” and that he would do whatever the studio wanted. Asked who might direct a Star-Lord project, he named Guardians filmmaker James Gunn, who now runs DC Studios, as a dream choice.
Fans are guessing at where he fits. “Avengers: Doomsday” arrives in December, but Pratt is missing from the official cast announcement, and directors Joe and Anthony Russo have teased only that more stars will return. Online scoopers point instead to “Avengers: Secret Wars.” One unconfirmed rumor says Marvel is developing a cosmic team-up of Star-Lord, Nova and Silver Surfer for its next saga. Nothing from the studio supports either claim.
Pratt, 47, remains tied to the franchise’s leadership. He took the stage on Sept. 30 to honor Feige when the executive received a Pioneer award. The comments give the clearest sign yet that Marvel plans to resolve a thread the studio left open three years ago, though neither Pratt nor Marvel has named a project or a date.
