The Comic Book Movie That Foreshadowed Chris Pratt’s Iconic Star-Lord Role
Apparently, Star-Lord's first taste of the big screen was in another comic book movie.
Before the MCU took over, comic book movies like Watchmen or Fantastic Four tried to bring unique and entertaining experiences to the big screen.
Featuring such big names in the superhero universe as Chris Evans, Josh Brolin, or Samuel L. Jackson, these films introduced some of the actors and actresses who would go on to become prominent figures in the genre.
One of those names is Star-Lord himself, Chris Pratt, who was already making an impact in the genre before the Marvel era.
In the film Wanted, based on the series by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, Pratt's character contributed to a memorable and humorous scene that showcased his versatility as an actor.
Released in 2008, Wanted is an adrenaline-pumping action film that takes audiences on a wild ride filled with intense stunts, breathtaking visuals, and a gripping storyline.
Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and based on the comic book series of the same name by Mark Millar and J.G. Jones, the film offers a unique twist on the assassin genre, uniting A-listers such as Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, and James McAvoy in the lead roles.
At the center of the comic book adaptation is Wesley Gibson, brilliantly portrayed by James McAvoy, a down-on-his-luck office worker who discovers a hidden world of assassins known as the Fraternity. Led by the enigmatic Sloan (Morgan Freeman) and the skilled Fox (Angelina Jolie), the Fraternity recruits Wesley, unleashing his dormant killer potential.
While McAvoy delivered a stellar performance as the lead, striking a balance between humor and drama, Chris Pratt, despite his small role in the film, used all of his screen time to shine and provide some situational humor.
Chris Pratt showcased his early acting talents in Wanted, before going on to gain widespread recognition in later projects such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World.
In Wanted, Pratt plays the character of Barry, the disloyal friend, and co-worker of Wesley Gibson. Despite his little screen time, Pratt was memorable in the role, especially in the Wesley confrontation scene and their subsequent interactions.
While, like all comics-based movies at the time, Wanted didn't have much of a spotlight like all MCU projects now, the movie still remains memorable in the genre, and that's certainly thanks to the cast, including the film's supporting actors like Chris Pratt.