As Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 turned into a massive hit following its release, it is safe to say that the stellar cast did an incredible job, like always. After years of witnessing the gang work together, it is safe to say that we can’t possibly imagine any other actors depicting the characters in James Gunn’s franchise.
However, it has been revealed that James Gunn and his team went through a long development process right before he began shooting his 2014 installment. Apparently, the entire long-drawn process was to find the perfect actors for the roles. Shockingly, only one from the director’s personal shortlist of actors ultimately featured in the movie.
Only One Shortlisted Actor Ultimately Made It To The Final Cut
Although James Gunn has shifted from Marvel Studios to DC, he is often known for his incredible MCU projects, including the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Initially turning the world of comic book movies with his 2014 iteration, the acclaimed filmmaker recently revealed how he went through a long-drawn process of finding the perfect actors.
While discussing the topic of casting for Guardians of the Galaxy, many fans even argued that despite the long development process, Gunn took D-list heroes and turned them into MCU superheroes. But, apparently, it wasn’t the initial case, as Gunn had shortlisted several renowned actors to reprise their roles as MCU heroes. But among the entire list, only one actor made it to the final cut.
In the Marvel Studios: Assembled documentary for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, via The Direct, James Gunn revealed which actor eventually made it into the movies, from his “little book” of actors he had in his mind.
“And of course, none of those actors who were in that book ended up playing the characters, except for Zoe Saldaña, who I met and loved from the beginning”
There’s no doubt that Zoe Saldaña had a graceful appearance in the movie, and did a phenomenal task along with her co-stars. However, here are the names of actors who were initially supposed to take up the roles of Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord and Dave Bautista‘s Drax the Destroyer.
James Gunn’s Initial Choice Of Actors For Guardians of the Galaxy
Although Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista became household names following their involvement in Guardians of the Galaxy, they weren’t James Gunn’s initial choice. Apparently, the filmmaker had been slimming through Jason Momoa for the role of Drax the Destroyer, and Adam Brody as Star-Lord. However, due to specific reasons, Gunn had to go with Pratt and Bautista.
It was revealed by Jason Momoa that he was on James Gunn’s list for the role of Drax. However, he was the first to turn down the role and later joined the DCEU instead as Aquaman. Originally chosen to play Drax the Destroyer due to his bulky physique, Momoa backed out and changed his mind at the last minute. He even stated his reasons to IGN.
“It didn’t really fit in my time because I’ve done so many things where I don’t say much, and I’m colored up, and I have my shirt off again.”
Further, even Adam Brody revealed during his interview with Variety, how he was shortlisted by James Gunn to play the infamous role of Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. The actor even admitted to auditioning for the role, but unfortunately, he ended up losing it to Chris Pratt. “I wanted that one,” Brody mentioned adding, that Chris Pratt was a “better” fit, as “he is bigger, stronger, but tonally, I really dug it.”
In the end, the casting turned out to be fantastic and now fans can’t accept anyone else playing the characters but the one true Guardians of the Galaxy cast.
Watch the Guardians of the Galaxy movies on Disney+.
Source: IGN, The Direct, Variety
