Chris Pratt has revealed that his future Marvel ambitions stretch beyond simply returning as Star-Lord in the MCU. While fans are still processing the emotional ending of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the actor has now shared his interest in taking on another Chris Pratt Marvel role—one that is far darker and more intense.
Chris Pratt Opens Up About His Favorite Marvel Hero
During a recent interview with Dexerto, Pratt was asked which Marvel character he would most like to portray. Without hesitation, he pointed to The Punisher, a character he has admired for years.
“He was my favorite comic book hero growing up so I’ve always loved Punisher.”
This statement immediately stood out, especially since The Punisher represents a brutal and grounded side of Marvel that contrasts sharply with Star-Lord’s humor.
The Terminal List Prepared Chris Pratt for a Darker Role
Pratt also highlighted that audiences have already seen him explore similar territory through his role as James Reece in The Terminal List. According to the actor, that performance allowed him to tap into the mindset of a violent vigilante.
“I get to kind-of play a version of The Punisher with James Reece… but yeah The Punisher. He was so good.”
Because of this, fans believe Pratt could seamlessly transition into a more serious Chris Pratt Marvel role if given the chance.
Why Chris Pratt Would Choose Punisher 2099
Importantly, Pratt made it clear that he is not interested in replacing Jon Bernthal’s version of The Punisher, who is already part of the MCU. Instead, he expressed interest in Punisher 2099, a futuristic and cyberpunk-inspired interpretation of the character.
This version would allow Pratt to explore new storytelling territory without overlapping with Bernthal’s portrayal.
The Origins of Punisher 2099 Explained
First introduced in 1993, Punisher 2099 follows Jacob Gallows, a future law enforcement officer who becomes the Punisher after his family is murdered. Set in a dystopian world, the storyline dives into themes such as:
- Constant surveillance
- Systemic corruption
- Harsh and unforgiving justice
As a result, Punisher 2099 offers a much darker tone than traditional MCU projects.
Star-Lord’s Story Is Not Over Yet
Even with his interest in another character, Pratt emphasized that Star-Lord remains unfinished business for him. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ended with Peter Quill returning to Earth, followed by the promise that “The legendary Star-Lord will return.”
Reflecting on that tease, Pratt said:
“We made a promise with Guardians of the Galaxy that Star-Lord would return – I think I’d really like to make good on that promise.”
Therefore, any new Chris Pratt Marvel role would likely happen alongside his eventual return as Star-Lord.
How the Multiverse Could Make This Possible
With the MCU continuing to expand through multiverse storytelling, Marvel Studios now has more freedom than ever before. This opens the door for actors to play multiple versions of different characters across timelines. Consequently, Pratt portraying Punisher 2099 while still returning as Star-Lord feels more plausible than in previous MCU phases.
Following his remarks, fans quickly took to social media to debate the idea of Pratt as Punisher 2099. While some are eager to see him in a darker role, others are more focused on when Star-Lord will finally return. Regardless, Pratt’s comments have reignited discussion about his long-term future in the MCU.
For now, Marvel Studios has not officially announced any new MCU projects involving Chris Pratt beyond Star-Lord. Still, his interest in Punisher 2099 adds an intriguing layer to ongoing speculation. Whether he suits up again as Star-Lord or steps into a dystopian future as Punisher 2099, one thing is clear—Chris Pratt’s Marvel story is far from finished.
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