When Marvel unveiled the massive cast list for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, fans immediately began scanning for familiar names. Most of the returning heroes were met with excitement. However, one major name was particularly missing: Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord.
Since the end of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Vol. 3 promised that the legendary Star-Lord would come back, the silence was even more deafening than the majority of omissions. Now, finally, Pratt has taken the time to comment on the speculation, and his words suggest that his MCU journey is not coming to an end anytime soon.
Why Chris Pratt Believes Star-Lord’s Return Goes Beyond ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Although he did not verify that he would appear in ‘Doomsday‘, he made one thing very clear, and that was that Marvel’s promise was not going to be broken, and he would see through it. The fact that Star-Lord was not included in the original cast of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ was weird considering the character has been a member of the MCU for over a decade. By the conclusion of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’, Peter Quill was back on Earth to reunite with his grandfather.
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This put him within the orbit of the Avengers more than ever before. From the story side, it appeared to be the ideal scenario for his participation in the next big crossover. Pratt, when questioned about his omission, replied jokingly that his name must have been cut or omitted in the disclosure. “We made a promise with ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ that Star-Lord would return,” Pratt told ScreenTime. “I think I would really love to make good on that promise.”
Pratt stressed that the creative team was intentionally teasing Star-Lord’s return and that Marvel does not make such promises in vain. The mystery deepened when other previously unconfirmed characters, most notably Chris Evans, were later revealed as part of ‘Doomsday’. That has only contributed to the speculations that Pratt might be a surprise guest, not a press release, but a dramatic moment.
Star-Lord’s MCU Comeback Is Still Locked In
Although naturally, fans would like to see Star-Lord in action as soon as possible, his absence in ‘Doomsday’ can be a strategic decision. ‘GOTG Vol. 3’ gave Peter Quill a rare gift in the MCU: a true emotional ending. He left the cosmic mess to concentrate on his family. Going directly back to an Avengers-level crisis would undermine that growth. Moreover, Pratt’s remarks suggest that Marvel is playing a longer game.
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If Star-Lord doesn’t appear in ‘Doomsday’, his return in ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ could feel more impactful, reintroducing him at a moment when the multiverse itself is on the brink. Such an entrance would also be a tribute to the legacy of the character as well as his development. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has also hinted that the ‘Doomsday’ cast announcement was not a full list, and that there were still surprises left. Whether Star-Lord pops up briefly or stays off-screen entirely, the door is clearly open.
