James Gunn Says Chris Pratt Bombed His First MCU Screen Test

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It’s difficult to picture anyone else playing the Guardians of the Galaxy now, but the casting wasn’t always obvious. Before Chris Pratt became known as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, actors like Eddie Redmayne, Adam Brody, and Lee Pace all tried out for the part. Pratt, who was mostly known for his role as Andy Dwyer on Parks and Rec at the time, impressed director James Gunn with his sense of humor. However, Gunn revealed on the Peacemaker podcast (as reported by Slashfilm) that Pratt actually struggled during the screen test – a test that was crucial to convincing Disney executives to take a chance on him.

I thought he was fantastic for the part, and his initial audition was perfect. Then came the screen test, and it was clear he was really struggling emotionally. I went backstage, where they’d even built a complete set. I spoke to him privately and told him he needed to refocus and get it right, but it was hard to know what to say to help.

Fortunately, after speaking with director James Gunn, Chris Pratt aced his screen test and dedicated himself to physical training, ultimately leading to his success. Gunn explained that actors sometimes overthink things, and he often tells them that their personal feelings aren’t relevant. He emphasizes that how an actor feels doesn’t translate to how they appear on camera, so focusing on emotions can actually be detrimental.

Disney became convinced Chris Pratt was the right choice for the role after his second improv screen test with Dave Bautista, who later played Drax. Chris Pratt was lucky to have James Gunn as a supporter who believed in his abilities, or things could have gone much differently.

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2025-11-11 00:04