Actor Chris Pratt might be the most bankable Hollywood actor today but he was rejected by several big franchises before Marvel took a bet on him.

Actor Chris Pratt is best known for playing Peter Quill / Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and other MCU projects. However, before tasting critical and commercial success with the superhero franchise, Pratt had almost entirely given up on franchise films and blockbusters after a series of failed auditions.

Chris Pratt is famous for his role as Peter Quill/Star-Lord in the MCU

During a late-night talk show appearance, Pratt opened up about some of his earlier career struggles while trying to establish himself as a movie star. The actor recalled auditioning for parts in several billion-dollar franchises and getting disheartened after failing to make the cut. Here is what Pratt had to say about his auditions for some of the other popular franchises aside from Marvel.

Chris Pratt Reveals Auditioning For Avatar and Star Trek Franchises

Chris Pratt gained recognition for his work in the sitcom Parks and Recreation. However, the actor later established himself as a bankable movie star with roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World trilogies, both of which earned billions of dollars at the box office.

Chris Pratt talked about failed Star Trek and Avatar auditions on Jimmy Kimmel Live

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Pratt admitted that he was grateful for getting to play a superhero. The actor revealed that he had always looked forward to playing a role in franchise films but failed to crack the audition numerous times.

It was not only just Marvel things but there have been a lot of heroic characters in various films… Not DC characters, but like, you know Star Trek or Avatar.

Pratt made the above statement recalling his failed auditions for Star Trek and Avatar, both of which are commercially successful franchises worth billions of dollars.

While Pratt mentioned the franchises he auditioned for, he did not disclose the exact roles he tried to get. The actor noted that he tried out for parts that required an “it factor” but rarely got a callback or a follow-up. Therefore, he became convinced that he did not have the “it factor” and wasn’t made for franchise movies.

Chris Pratt Talks Failed Marvel Auditions Before Landing Guardians of the Galaxy Role

Chris Pratt admitted to giving up on Marvel roles before Guardians of the Galaxy 

During the same conversation, Pratt also spoke about auditioning for Marvel roles before he landed the part of Star-Lord. The actor explained that he had auditioned for roles in movies such as Thor and Captain America, but did not hear back from the studio.

I would either submit a tape and they would say ‘No, we don’t need to see him,’ or I would get there and see them, they’d go, ‘No, that’s the last time we need to see you.’

Pratt made the above statement revealing how he faced rejection after rejection from Marvel Studios.

The Jurassic World star became convinced that he was never going to play a Marvel superhero and admitted to being disheartened by the experience. He added: It got to the point where I was never gonna audition for Marvel again. I was like, ‘This is stupid, I’m never gonna be in a Marvel movie.’

However, before giving up on his dream to play a superhero, Pratt auditioned for the role of Star-Lord in James Gunn‘s Guardians of the Galaxy and landed the part. It emerged as a critical and commercial success, grossing $773.3 million globally. The film launched Pratt into the commercial film star phase of his career, making him one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood.