Chris Pratt Will Lead Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

After weeks of speculation and numerous names being dropped as potential candidates, Marvel has found its lead for Guardians of the Galaxy in funnyman Chris Pratt. Per Deadline, Pratt has signed on to play Peter Quill, a.k.a Star-Lord, leader of the Guardians. The son of a human mother and an alien father, Quill is a master stragetist and combat expert who wears an ability-enhanced suit and pilots a psychically-linked ship. Pratt wasn’t one of the initial names rumored for the role — a list that included John Krasinski (The Office), Zachary Levi (Chuck), Joel Edgerton (Warrior), and Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies), among others — but he’s a fine choice as he’s demonstrated through his previous work that he’s a fun and likable actor, capable of balancing comedic (The Five-Year Engagement), and dramatic (Moneyball) roles. Thanks to his work on Parks and Recreation and successful turns in films like Moneyball and Zero Dark Thirty, Pratt’s star power has been on the rise in recent years and,...