Phase 6 of the MCU is in full swing, and the focus has shifted. The Fantastic Four: First Steps has arrived, kicking off the path to the epic Doomsday crossover that promises to shake the Multiverse. Marvel’s marketing is locked in on these newcomers, with Reed Richards and his team leading the next significant cosmic chapter.
New heroes dominate the spotlight, while some of the faces that helped shape Marvel’s earlier years are noticeably absent from the conversation. One of those faces? Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord—once a core player in Marvel’s intergalactic adventures, now seemingly missing from the future.
His absence feels even more jarring considering how central the Guardians of the Galaxy were to the success of the Infinity Saga, both in tone and in box office draw.
Guardians’ Bittersweet Goodbye
Star-Lord last appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). The film saw the team risk everything to save Rocket from the High Evolutionary. In the end, the Guardians disbanded. Rocket became captain, Nebula stayed behind, Mantis set off on her own journey, and Quill returned to Earth to reconnect with family.
It was a heartfelt closure for a team fans had followed for nearly a decade. But the closing promise that “The Legendary Star-Lord will return” hasn’t materialized, and the silence since has been deafening.
James Gunn Has Left the Building
James Gunn’s fingerprints are all over the Guardians trilogy. Star-Lord might not have the same spark without his humor, musical choices, and character chemistry. The problem? Gunn has swapped Marvel’s galaxy for DC’s, taking on the role of co-chairman and CEO of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran.
He’s now overseeing a follow-up to Superman (2025), possibly a Supergirl spinoff starring Milly Alcock, and the soon-to-release Peacemaker Season 2. He’s also laying the foundation for an interconnected DC Universe over the next decade. Gunn is busy—really busy—and Marvel is likely nowhere near the top of his priority list.
The Pratt Problem
Beyond Gunn’s absence, there’s Pratt himself. Thanks to Jurassic World, the actor remains a bankable name, but his personal beliefs and public perception have drawn plenty of heat online.
Disney has shown a willingness to move on from actors who quietly generate controversy, and they might decide it’s cleaner to shelve Star-Lord rather than invite backlash. That could mean passing the torch to another character entirely or retiring Star-Lord without ceremony—a disappointing but realistic possibility.
Could Marvel Bring Him Back Without Gunn?
Marvel could hand Star-Lord to another director—much like how the Russo brothers handled characters introduced by other filmmakers—but it’s a risky gamble. Gunn’s humor, music, and emotional beats are deeply tied to the Guardians’ identity. Without him, the character risks feeling hollow.
With the studio focusing on Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and other new franchises, the safer move might be to let Star-Lord’s arc end quietly, even if it leaves fans wanting more.
A Fading Legend
It’s been over a year since Star-Lord last appeared, and nothing in Marvel’s upcoming slate hints at his return. Unless something changes, fans might have already witnessed his final flight. For now, Peter Quill remains grounded, possibly forever. And unless Marvel shifts gears, “The Legendary Star-Lord” might remain legendary in name only.
