Glen Powell has openly credited Chris Pratt’s breakout role as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) as a transformative moment in modern Hollywood—both for the evolution of the leading man archetype and for shaping his own career trajectory.

In a recent GQ profile, Powell reflected on how Pratt’s performance offered a refreshing, long-overdue alternative to the brooding, dark, and emotionally heavy heroes that had dominated the genre for years—figures like Christian Bale’s Batman in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy and Robert Pattinson’s Edward Cullen in Twilight.

“Chris Pratt broke out in Guardians of the Galaxy,” Powell said. “There’s no doubt it had a real impact—he wasn’t brooding or dark. I’m not a Christian Bale. I’m not Robert Pattinson. I don’t carry that same gravitas or intensity. But when Pratt came in with a more lighthearted, buoyant energy—someone who could be silly, confident, and charming without losing heroism—that’s where I feel most at home.”

Powell emphasized that he sees himself as part of a new wave of leading men who thrive in this tonal space—characters who are fun, charismatic, and unafraid to embrace humor and heart. He believes this kind of performance requires a rare authenticity, one that many actors struggle to pull off. “It’s a specific flavor that’s needed in Hollywood—one that not many actors can authentically pull off,” he added.

For Powell, Pratt’s success with Star-Lord wasn’t just a career milestone—it was a blueprint. It proved that audiences were ready for a hero who didn’t have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders to be compelling. That shift opened doors for actors like Powell, who’ve built their appeal on wit, charm, and a natural ease with tone.

Now, as Powell prepares to headline Edgar Wright’s highly anticipated action-comedy The Running Man, set for release on November 14, he’s stepping into a role that leans heavily into this same ethos—fast-paced, stylish, and unapologetically fun. The film, a modern reinvention of the 1987 cult classic, promises to be a full-throated celebration of the kind of leading man Pratt helped redefine.

Meanwhile, Pratt himself remains a fan favorite—and a rumored presence in Avengers: Doomsday. Though his name was absent from the initial casting announcement, he’s since joked about the omission, playfully suggesting it was "cut from the footage." Whether he returns as Star-Lord remains to be seen—but his impact on the future of Hollywood stardom, as Powell confirms, is already undeniable.