How One Bad Audition Nearly Cost Chris Pratt His Biggest Role

Chris Pratt almost missed out on the role that would make him a household name in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In an interview with Esquire, Pratt talked about a terrible audition for a G.I. Joe movie that left him feeling embarrassed and unsure about future roles.

“I saw the director’s eyes just glaze over,” he said. He realized it happened because he was “out of shape” and “did not look like a G.I. Joe action figure come to life.”

That experience was so discouraging that he initially turned down the chance to audition for Guardians of the Galaxy, fearing he might humiliate himself again.

Pratt’s concerns weren’t just about acting; they were also about his health. According to the Esquire interview, this motivated him to get in shape before taking on any big action roles.

Once he felt ready, he met with James Gunn, the director of Guardians of the Galaxy, and the meeting went well. Pratt got the part of Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, and the rest is history.

Guardians of the Galaxy ended up launching Pratt’s career in a huge way. The movie gave him global recognition and made him a true action star. People loved his humor, charm, and ability to mix comedy with heroism.

The film’s success opened doors for him to work on big projects beyond Marvel, including voicing characters like Super Mario and Garfield. Even though he started out nervous and unsure, Guardians showed the industry what he could do and turned him into a bankable star.

Pratt has joked about his early struggles and how he almost passed on the role. “I didn’t want to embarrass myself,” he told Esquire, reflecting on why he initially said no. But facing that fear and putting in the work to transform himself physically and professionally was key to his success.

Now, he’s known not just for Guardians, but for a variety of major films, proving that sometimes a scary audition can lead to a career-defining opportunity.

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