Star-Lord has a new name in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the Legendary Star-Lord, and it teases a big future for Chris Pratt’s character. Peter Quill once again works with the Guardians of the Galaxy team to save the universe in the Phase 5 movie. Still reeling from Gamora’s death in Avengers: Infinity War, Star-Lord reflects on his life decisions throughout Guardians of the Galaxy 3 and what role he needs to play in protecting the galaxy. Mantis repeatedly tells him that he needs to reconnect with the human family he has ignored for over 30 years, leading to Star-Lord making a life-changing decision

After helping found and lead the Guardians of the Galaxy since 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy 3‘s ending sees Star-Lord walk away from the team. His return to Earth and reunion with his grandpa Jason Quill might seem like the end of Chris Pratt’s MCU role in some ways. However, Marvel Studios was sure to confirm that Star-Lord will return at an unspecified time in the future. The way this happens includes Peter Quill getting a new MCU name, as he is now officially called The Legendary Star-Lord. Here is what the new title means for Chris Pratt’s MCU future after Guardians of the Galaxy 3.

Legendary Star-Lord’s Name Comes From The Marvel Comics

Star-Lord’s new MCU name, the Legendary Star-Lord, is a title that Marvel Studios pulled directly from the comics. Peter Quill earned the new superhero name in 2014 as part of a solo comic series that ran for 12 issues written by Sam Humphries and with art by Paco Medina. Legendary Star-Lord explored Peter Quill’s time away from the Guardians of the Galaxy and the various cosmic adventures he embarked on alone. Guardians of the Galaxy 3‘s post-credits scene ending with the confirmation this is Star-Lord’s new MCU name lines up pretty perfectly with the general setup, where Peter Quill is on his own and a known hero.

The MCU giving Chris Pratt the Legendary Star-Lord name is also a way to bring his role within the first Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy full circle. Not only does his current story see him reunited with his grandpa for the first time since being abducted by Yondu in 1988, but the updated title reflects the incredible journey he has been on. The first Guardians of the Galaxy introduced him as a self-proclaimed “legendary outlaw” whose name was not as widely known as he liked and was more of a joke. After helping save the universe several times, Peter has officially earned the right to be called Legendary Star-Lord.

What Star-Lord’s New Name Means For Chris Pratt’s MCU Future

Star-Lord’s new name could be telling for what lies ahead in Chris Pratt’s MCU future. The 12-issue Legendary Star-Lord series from Humphries and Medina is known for focusing on a few different aspects of Peter’s story. This includes him repeatedly visiting and helping a cosmic orphanage, allowing him to help kids who lost their parents just as he did. There are also major developments like the debut of his half-sister Captain Victoria and the return of his biological comic father and former Emperor of Spartax known as J’Son. Peter also goes on a quest to defeat Thanos, fights the Badoon, and develops his romance with future MCU mutant Kitty Pryde.

It is impossible for Marvel Studios to directly adapt the comic series due to how different Star-Lord’s MCU and comic stories are. However, Marvel could continue to loosely adapt portions of the source material and retrofit them to work within the MCU. This is most likely to be seen as the shared universe brings Kitty Pryde and Star-Lord’s romance to the screen. Guardians of the Galaxy 3 makes a point of showing that Gamora and Star-Lord are not getting back together, opening the door for Peter to pursue new love interests. If the MCU plans to give Chris Pratt’s character a new romantic story, Kitty Pryde should be involved.

Now that Star-Lord is away from the Guardians with Rocket leading the MCU’s new Guardians of the Galaxy team, his time as the Legendary Star-Lord could include coming into contact with the Spartax Empire and the Badoon. It would take a serious retcon to have Peter Quill connected to the powerful Spartax Empire, but perhaps Jason Quill has a secret past of his own. In any case, Legendary Star-Lord’s solo adventures including fighting the Badoon and Spartax Empire would help bring some major comic elements to the MCU that have so far been ignored.

When The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return In The MCU

Marvel Studios confirming at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy 3 that the Legendary Star-Lord will return did not include a reveal for when this will happen. The post-credits promise does indicate there are some plans in place for Chris Pratt to play his MCU character again. This lines up with comments he has made leading up to Guardians of the Galaxy 3‘s release that he would happily continue playing Peter Quill, even if James Gunn will no longer be involved. Marvel Studios would not announce Star-Lord’s new MCU name with a tease of him returning if discussions were not already underway for when that will come true.

It could be a bit easier for Chris Pratt to return to the MCU now that Star-Lord is stationed on Earth. It opens the door for him to make surprise appearances in Earth-based projects, whereas the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy characters need cosmic stories to best explain their returns. Marvel could have Star-Lord make surprise appearances in The Marvels or Captain America: New World Order potentially. There is even a chance that Peter going to Earth will allow him to connect to the Nova solo project in development.

Otherwise, Star-Lord’s MCU return is most likely to happen in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and/or Avengers: Secret Wars. He has experience fighting alongside the Avengers thanks to Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, so it would make sense that they call upon his skills again once the Council of Kangs begin their multiversal attack. This could be an opportunity for Star-Lord, the new Guardians of the Galaxy team, and other former members to reunite after spending some time apart. Marvel could then possibly make Guardians of the Galaxy 4 with Chris Pratt back in a major role.

Another option for when Star-Lord will return in the MCU is through a solo project. Marvel Studios introducing Star-Lord’s new MCU name could be connected to plans to make a The Legendary Star-Lord solo movie, Disney+ series, or Special Presentation. This would be a somewhat surprising development considering how much screentime Chris Pratt has already received in the franchise. But, there are still plenty of stories worth telling about Peter Quill’s life and adventures. The Legendary Star-Lord could be a chance to really show why Star-Lord’s new MCU name after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is so fitting.

Source: screenrant.com