Why Do People Want Star-Lord Replaced? Exploring the Criticisms and Controversies Surrounding Peter Quill in the Guardians of the Galaxy Franchise
Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, is one of the main characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. As the leader of the ragtag team of misfits, played by actor Chris Pratt, Star-Lord has become a fan-favorite due to his humor, charm, and heroic moments. However, despite his popularity, some fans and critics have called for his replacement or removal from the franchise, citing various reasons related to his character’s flaws, actions, and potential impact on the story. In this article, we will examine the criticisms and controversies surrounding Star-Lord and explore the reasons why some people want him replaced.
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The Prelude: The Rise of Star-Lord
To understand why Star-Lord matters to the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and its fans, let us briefly recap his origins and role in the movies. Star-Lord, whose real name is Peter Jason Quill, was abducted from Earth by Ravagers, led by Yondu Udonta, when he was a child after his mother died of cancer. After years of being raised by the Ravagers and learning how to survive in space, Peter becomes a thief and a smuggler, always carrying his Walkman and listening to his mixtapes of 1970s and 1980s music. When Peter discovers an Orb that contains an Infinity Stone, he becomes embroiled in a cosmic plot involving Ronan the Accuser, Thanos, and the Nova Corps. Along the way, Peter meets Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot, who become his friends and allies. Together, they form the Guardians of the Galaxy and fight against various threats to the galaxy, from the Kree to Ego, the Living Planet.
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The Criticisms: The Complaints About Star-Lord
Despite his status as a beloved character, Star-Lord has faced several criticisms and complaints from fans and critics, especially after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). Some of the main criticisms include:
- Immature and Irresponsible Behavior: One of the most common complaints about Star-Lord is that he lacks maturity and responsibility, often acting impulsively and recklessly. For example, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014), he disobeys Yondu’s orders and tries to sell the Orb on Xandar, which leads to a confrontation with Gamora, Rocket, and Groot. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), he puts his relationship with Gamora at risk by lying to her about his father, Ego, and gets into fights with other characters over petty issues. In Avengers: Infinity War (2018), he jeopardizes the plan to remove the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos by attacking him out of anger and grief after learning about Gamora’s death.
- Toxic Masculinity and Misogyny: Another criticism of Star-Lord is that he exhibits traits of toxic masculinity and misogyny, such as objectifying women, belittling other men, and using violence as a means of asserting dominance. For example, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014), he flirts with and hits on Gamora despite her initial rejection, and calls Rocket “Vermin” and “Rodent,” implying that he is superior to him. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), he makes fun of Taserface’s name and appearance and boasts about his sexual conquests to Ego. In Avengers: Infinity War (2018), he insults Thor and challenges him for the leadership of the Guardians, and makes derogatory comments about Mantis’ appearance.
- Derailing Other Characters’ Arcs: A third criticism of Star-Lord is that he derails other characters’ arcs or development by being too dominant or insensitive. For example, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014), he steals the spotlight from Gamora and Rocket, who have their own issues with their past and identity, and reduces them to supporting roles. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), he becomes the center of attention again, as his relationship with Ego takes precedence over the subplots of the other Guardians, such as Drax’s grief over his family or Rocket’s fear of intimacy. In Avengers: Infinity War (2018), he interferes with Thor and Rocket’s plan to get a new weapon and brings Nebula along without her consent, leading to a diversion and delay.
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The Controversies: The Backlash Against Star-Lord
In addition to these criticisms, Star-Lord has also faced backlash from some fans and viewers due to his actions in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), specifically during the scene on Titan where the Guardians, Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange try to remove the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos. When they almost succeed, Star-Lord learns about Gamora’s death and attacks Thanos out of rage and grief, causing him to regain control and prevent them from taking the Gauntlet. This leads to Thanos snapping his fingers and wiping out half of all life in the universe.
Many fans blamed Star-Lord for this outcome and accused him of ruining the heroes’ chance to stop Thanos and save the day. Some even went as far as creating petitions to have him removed from future movies or replaced by another character. They argued that his emotional outburst was selfish, foolish, and out of character, given his previous growth and development as a leader and friend. They also criticized the writing and directing choices that led to this plot twist, claiming that it was a cheap way to prolong the conflict and set up the climax of Avengers: Endgame (2019).
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The Response: The Defense of Star-Lord
Despite the criticism and controversy surrounding Star-Lord, he also has defenders and supporters who argue that he is an essential part of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and that his flaws and mistakes make him more relatable and human. They point out that he has moments of selflessness, bravery, and humor that redeem him and show his potential as a hero. For example, in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014), he sacrifices himself to save Gamora, Rocket, and Groot from Ronan’s ship, and uses his music to distract and defeat him. In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), he reconciles with Yondu and honors his legacy by leading a funeral procession for him. In Avengers: Infinity War (2018), he stands up to Thanos and refuses to let him win, even if it means risking his life and the universe.
They also argue that Star-Lord’s flaws are part of his character arc and growth, as he learns to overcome his immaturity, misogyny, and impulsivity through his relationships with Gamora, Yondu, and the other Guardians. They claim that he is a complex and multidimensional character who represents the struggles and challenges of being a human in a universe filled with aliens, gods, and monsters. They believe that removing him or replacing him would do a disservice to the franchise and the message it promotes about diversity, inclusivity, and redemption.
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Conclusion: The Complexity of Star-Lord
In the end, whether people want Star-Lord replaced or defended depends on their interpretation of his character and role in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. While some criticize him for his flaws and mistakes, others appreciate him for his humanity and heroism. Both sides have valid arguments and reasons, and ultimately it is up to the writers, directors, and actors to decide how to handle Star-Lord in future movies. However, one thing is clear: Star-Lord is a complicated and fascinating character whose impact on the MCU will be felt for years to come.