James Gunn Defends Chris Pratt, Says People Have "Utterly False" Beliefs About Him

Writer-director James Gunn has spoken out to defend Chris Pratt as people call for him to be replaced as Star-Lord in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy series.

Responding to someone on Twitter who suggested Marvel replace Pratt with Aquaman's Patrick Wilson, Gunn said (via Variety), "Chris Pratt would never be replaced as Star-Lord but, if he ever was, we would all be going with him." Gunn said people have "made-up, utterly-false beliefs" about Pratt.

Pratt has been criticized in the past, by Elliot Page and others, for his connection to the Hillsong church. Gunn said people don't have all the facts about Pratt and his faith.

"I know the church he currently goes to. Do you? (The answer is you don't, but you heard from someone who heard from someone who heard from someone where he goes to church, so decided, 'Yeah, okay, I'll believe this terrible thing I heard online about this celebrity!)," Gunn said on Twitter.

Page said about Pratt and his beliefs, "If you are a famous actor and you belong to an organization that hates a certain group of people, don't be surprised if someone simply wonders why it's not addressed. Being anti-LGBTQ is wrong, there aren't two sides. The damage it causes is severe. Full stop."

Pratt responded by saying he attends a church that "opens its doors to absolutely everyone," adding that "nothing could be further from the truth" regarding claims by Page and others.

Pratt will appear as Star-Lord once again in this year's Thor: Love and Thunder and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 next year. Pratt also has major projects lined up for 2023 as well, including voicing Mario and Garfield.