Casting Chris Pratt in James Gunn’s DCU: 3 Characters He’d Be Perfect For (That Aren’t Batman)

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James Gunn enjoys collaborating with his friends in his work, and this is evident in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy where one can find many frequent collaborators of the filmmaker like his brother Sean Gunn, Nathan Fillion, and others. These actors have already ventured into the DC Universe, which Gunn now oversees. Additionally, Superman features cameos by Bradley Cooper, Pom Klementieff, and Michael Rooker. However, Gunn has yet to create a role for Chris Pratt, who is the lead actor in his Marvel trilogy. The two have discussed the possibility of Pratt joining another comic book universe, but no concrete plans have been made public yet.

As Gunn and Pratt work on finalizing the details, it’s intriguing to brainstorm several roles within the DC Universe that could suit Chris Pratt exceptionally well, given his distinct acting style, which is best suited for lighter characters rather than serious ones like Batman. Here are three characters from the DCU that Chris Pratt would be an excellent fit for:

1. Green Lantern: Known for his ability to bring humor and charm to any role, Chris Pratt could breathe new life into the Green Lantern character, adding a fresh perspective while still maintaining the hero’s courage and determination.
2. Booster Gold: As a time-traveling hero with a knack for self-promotion, Booster Gold would allow Chris Pratt to showcase his charisma and comedic timing. His larger-than-life personality would fit seamlessly into the DC Universe.
3. Blue Beetle: Jaime Reyes, also known as Blue Beetle, is a relatable and humorous character who shares some similarities with Chris Pratt’s past roles. Given his background in engineering and his connection to an extraterrestrial scarab, this role would allow for a unique blend of action, humor, and heart.

3) Booster Gold

There’s a good deal of buzz surrounding the possibility that Kumail Nanjiani might be selected by James Gunn to play Booster Gold, who currently has a TV series in development. In fact, Nanjiani has been seen at multiple DC premiere events and isn’t afraid to show off his geek side. Yet, neither Nanjiani nor Gunn have made any official statements about this casting, so the part of Booster Gold is still open for contention at this time.

Pratt is an excellent choice for Booster Gold, as the two characters share similarities with Chris Pratt’s portrayal of Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Both characters enjoy being in the limelight and use technology to gain an advantage. As Booster Gold has not yet gained significant traction in live-action, appearing only once on Legends of Tomorrow and having a limited run on Smallville, casting Pratt would bring enough attention to the character to provide him with a better chance at success.

2) Green Arrow

Currently, Oliver Queen finds himself in an unusual situation. Although ‘Arrow’ has enjoyed an impressive eight-season run on The CW, the portrayal of its lead character was quite unusual, to put it mildly. The Green Arrow resembled the Batman-like figure from the Arrowverse, patrolling the streets of Star City at night and amassing a team of heroes to assist him. As for Gunn’s comments, he is uncertain about where Green Arrow fits within the DCU at this time, but it’s clear that this character won’t remain idle forever, especially if efforts are made to revamp his public image.

Introducing Chris Pratt as the Emerald Archer broadens the narrative landscape with numerous potentialities, given his aptitude for portraying comical aspects of characters. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has demonstrated that a hero armed with a bow and arrow, combating interdimensional perils, can be laughably absurd. It necessitates a unique actor to bring authenticity to such a role. Pratt’s previous roles suggest he is well-equipped for the challenge; mastering archery skills would presumably be his final step.

1) Jonah Hex

Gunn is diligently working to rectify past mistakes within DCU. Alongside Guy Gardner, John Stewart, and Hal Jordan, they are putting in extra effort to eliminate the lingering odor of the 2011 Green Lantern film. However, there’s another DC production that also needs a makeover: Jonah Hex. Despite featuring renowned comic book movie star Josh Brolin, the film failed to impress critics and audiences alike, with many criticizing its convoluted plot.

In theory, Hex appears to be unlike Chris Pratt’s typical Marvel character, as he’s portrayed as a tough bounty hunter who doesn’t worry about upsetting others. However, this role could offer an opportunity for Pratt to embody a character that Star-Lord himself might envision, thus allowing the Marvel character to vicariously experience his actor’s portrayal. Those still skeptical about the fit can review Pratt’s performance in The Magnificent Seven, where he played Joshua Faraday, a man known for occasionally bending the rules.

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2025-08-28 22:41