Joel Edgerton recently explained on The Playlist’s ‘Bingeworthy’ podcast why he failed his audition for Star-Lord in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ The actor noted that he was happy Chris Pratt played the role in the 2014 film and its two sequels instead:
“Star-Lord’s a good one, actually, because I, unlike Chris [Pratt], didn’t quite sort of understand the tone of it the way he did and the way that those guys did. And I wasn’t really sure how I could be a part of that tone. And I truly think that the world is a much better place that I’m not Star-Lord, even if I had the opportunity or I did a good enough audition because it is the way it’s meant to be.”
He added:
“And there was never a real conversation that it would have definitely been me. It was just, I had the opportunity to try and audition. I just didn’t quite understand it.”
There Was Another Name That Wanted The Role
Marvel and director James Gunn reportedly auditioned several actors for Star-Lord, and Adam Brody was among those who tried out.
Brody talked about the part in a chat with Variety last year and said he ‘wanted that one.’ But the actor also admitted that Chris Pratt was a ‘better’ choice:
“He is bigger, stronger, but tonally, I really dug it.”
Pratt Almost Passed On The Marvel Part
On the other hand, Pratt almost didn’t audition for the role after facing multiple rejections from Marvel. He recalled during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live:
“I auditioned for them all. I had a rough run with Marvel. I auditioned for ‘Thor,’ but not even to be Thor — but to be one of the sidekick guys, and I didn’t get a callback. Usually, they give you a little bit of feedback, and I remember the casting director goes, ‘Wow. You really made a big choice there.’ Which is code for like: ‘Hey, dial back the acting there, guy.’”
He continued:
“It got to the point where I was never gonna audition for Marvel again. I was like, ‘This is stupid, I’m never gonna be in a Marvel movie.’”
The actor’s last appearance as Star-Lord came in 2023’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.’ Currently, he stars in the Apple TV+ series ‘Dark Matter.’
