Glen Powell’s admiration for Chris Pratt’s role as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy goes beyond mere fandom—it’s a reflection of a shifting Hollywood ideal. In his candid GQ profile, Powell frames Pratt’s 2014 breakout not just as a career milestone, but as a cultural reset for what a leading man could be in modern cinema.

Where Christian Bale’s Batman in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy embodied a brooding, emotionally heavy gravitas, and Robert Pattinson’s Edward Cullen exuded a moody, romantic melancholy, Pratt’s Star-Lord offered something radically different: charm, humor, self-awareness, and a refreshing lack of pretension. As Powell put it, “He wasn’t brooding or dark.” That simple distinction, he argues, opened a new door—not just for Pratt, but for actors like himself who thrive in a more playful, energetic, and authentically likable register.

Powell sees himself as part of that new wave. He doesn’t aspire to the weight of a dark hero; instead, he embraces a natural flair for wit, charm, and relatability. “I believe I have a natural gear for that tone,” he said, underscoring that this isn’t just a performance choice—it’s a personal fit. His own rise, highlighted by roles in The Old Guard, Spy x Family, and now Twisters, showcases a star who channels energy and humor with ease, much like Pratt did in his early days.

Interestingly, Pratt’s absence from the initial casting announcement for Avengers: Doomsday sparked playful speculation—though Powell, ever the self-deprecating optimist, joked about it: “They must have cut it from the footage.” Whether he returns as Star-Lord remains to be seen, but his enduring presence in the MCU’s future feels almost inevitable.

Meanwhile, Powell is stepping into a new era with The Running Man, Edgar Wright’s long-gestating sci-fi satire. Set for release on November 14, the film promises to blend action, satire, and Powell’s signature charisma—an ideal platform for him to fully embody the kind of leading man Pratt once helped redefine: not the brooding savior, but the funny, fast-talking, heart-driven hero Hollywood didn’t know it needed—until it saw Chris Pratt in a spaceship, grinning like he just won the lottery.

And now, with Powell at the wheel, that kind of star might just be Hollywood’s new standard.