Chris Pratt Got A Brutal Note From Kevin Feige Before Signing On As Star-Lord, But I Love His Determined Response

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With Chris Pratt’s new action film, Mercy, hitting theaters this weekend, it’s a good time to remember the role that truly launched his career: Star-Lord in the 2013 Marvel hit, Guardians of the Galaxy. Pratt recently shared a story about a frank conversation he had with Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige just before being cast. Apparently, Feige gave him some direct feedback before ultimately offering him the part in James Gunn’s movie.

This week, while talking with Josh Horowitz, Chris Pratt was asked about the moment he found out he’d been cast as Peter Quill. Here’s what he shared:

I met with Kevin Feige, and he was checking to see if I could get into better physical condition. I weighed around 285 pounds at the time. I’d gained weight – up to 300 pounds – for a previous movie, ‘Delivery Man’ with Vince Vaughn, and was starting to lose some of it again.

Chris Pratt famously transformed his physique for his Marvel role, and Kevin Feige has said that physical change was a key consideration when Pratt was being considered for the part. Feige explained further:

Kevin Feige showed me an old photo of me in my underwear – it was taken when I appeared on Ellen after getting in shape for the movie Zero Dark Thirty. He asked if I could get back into that kind of shape, and I immediately said yes, asking how much time I’d have. He said six to seven months, and I confidently told him I could definitely do it.

It’s clear this approach really impressed Feige, and the results speak for themselves. Chris Pratt had experience transforming his body for roles. He’d previously lost 30 pounds for the movie Moneyball after being told he needed to get in shape, and he’d also gained weight for the comedy 10 Years. Before playing a Navy SEAL in Zero Dark Thirty, he committed to a rigorous fitness plan. Losing weight takes dedication, and it’s great that he was willing to do it for the role of Star-Lord.

Chris Pratt says his brother, Daniel, talked him into sharing a photo of himself in his underwear from the set of the movie Zero Dark Thirty. That decision turned out to be surprisingly useful, as you’ll see what happened next:

They called me while I was driving home and told me it was mine. I couldn’t believe it!

Believe it or not, a shirtless photo helped Chris Pratt land a role in a Marvel movie! From there, he committed to an intense fitness journey, losing 60 pounds in just six months through hours of dedicated, strenuous exercise, as reported by Men’s Journal.

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He transformed his fitness with the guidance of a trainer and nutritionist, following an intense regimen that included P90X, running, swimming, boxing, and even a triathlon. He fueled this with a high-calorie diet of 4,000 calories daily and stayed incredibly hydrated, constantly needing to use the restroom.

Chris Pratt becoming a Marvel superhero wasn’t just about his physical transformation. He credits his improvisational skills, especially his chemistry with Dave Bautista, for convincing director James Gunn. Gunn initially wasn’t interested in seeing Pratt audition, but the casting director arranged a surprise audition, and after several rounds, Pratt landed the part.

The ending of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hinted that Star-Lord would return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it’s still unknown which future Marvel film Chris Pratt will appear in. In the meantime, you can see him in Mercy, which is currently playing in theaters.

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2026-01-25 00:09