The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one big interconnected machine that has shone the spotlight on many different heroes throughout the big and small screens. Most of the time, these iconic characters are the stars of their own isolated adventures. However, they will also come together when the worlds need them the most, and that time is nearly here again. The entire multiverse is about to hang by a thread, and only those willing to risk everything will be able to prevent its collapse.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to reunite Earth's Mightiest Heroes to fight their biggest battle yet against Doom and his forces. So now that the highly anticipated crossover is just around the corner, we need to ask ourselves: Who will show up to save the day? Well, the original casting announcement revealed that the New Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and many other heroes are bound to make an explosive comeback. However, Kevin Feige teased that additional characters are still waiting to be announced, and fans are eager to uncover their identities. Fortunately, that day might be here as a well-known Marvel veteran might've finally confirmed his comeback amidst speculation.
Chris Pratt teases Star-Lord appearance in Avengers: Doomsday
During an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Chris Pratt was asked if Star-Lord would be in the next Avengers movie. Naturally, Chris didn't give a straight "yes" or "no" answer, as he joked that Marvel snipers might be around. However, he did tease that we'll see more of Peter Quill in the near future:
"Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 was the last time you saw Star-Lord, and there was a promise that Star-Lord would return (...) All I can say is: We will make good on that promise."
A recent MCU trend seems to be the formation of smaller team-ups as opposed to getting every single hero on the screen at the same time. For instance, we know that Sam Wilson will form his very own group of Avengers as revealed by Captain America: Brave New World. Furthermore, The New Avengers recently came to be during the events of Thunderbolts*, while it's likely that Kamala Khan will form the Young Avengers as indicated by The Marvels post-credits scene. But why is this important? Well, because we might see Star-Lord follow a similar path during the events of Avengers: Doomsday.
It's worth remembering that Rocket formed a new Guardians of the Galaxy team by the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. So now that Star-Lord isn't a member of any official Marvel team, he might look to create one of his own, comprised by the most powerful heroes in the universe. Back in October, reliable industry insider Alex Perez revealed that Peter Quill will create the Annihilators in the MCU. Alex did mention that he wasn't sure if the team's formation would happen in Avengers: Doomsday. However, the leak seems more likely now that renowned scooper Daniel Richtman has also reported that an Annihilators movie is in the works.
With that in mind, Avengers: Doomsday could be the perfect movie for Star-Lord to try to fight Doom's forces on his own, but fail. That would make him realize just how powerful the enemy truly is, and lead him to create a multiversal team of heroes in Avengers: Secret Wars. The whole group could then go on to have its own stand-alone movie once the MCU's Multiverse Phase is over.
Interestingly enough, the Annihilators were formed by Cosmo in comic book pages as the last wish of Star-Lord after his presumed death. While the hero was eventually revealed to be alive, we can't help but wonder if tragedy could truly strike on the big screen. Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars are bound to be huge movies that will undoubtedly act as the end for the story of multiple characters. Perhaps the MCU's Annihilators will still act as Peter Quill's last wish for the universe after he heroically sacrifices himself for a chance to defeat Doctor Doom.
On the bright side, it appears Star-Lord is very likely to be a part of Avengers: Doomsday, and we can't wait to discover what his role will really be.
Avengers: Doomsday will be released on May 1, 2026.