Adam Brody regrets losing Guardians of the Galaxy role

While on the “Just for Variety” podcast, Adam Brody revealed to host Marc Malkin “there have been many” roles he didn’t land that he really wanted.

“The O.C.” star went through a list of his less successful auditions, from Justin Bartha’s role in Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck‘s “Gigli” to a younger version of Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) in the 2003 “Dumb and Dumber” prequel.

However, the recent role he was most torn up about was the role of Peter Quill/Star-Lord in “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

Chris Pratt ultimately got the part of the earthly leader in charge of a dangerous group of misfits attempting to save the universe in the 2014 Marvel movie directed by James Gunn.

Pratt portrayed the character for two sequels and a holiday special.

“I wanted that one,” Brody said, admitting that he agrees that Pratt was a “better” fit for the space adventurer.

He added, “But tonally, I really dug it.”

Brody and Pratt were brief co-stars on “The O.C.” when the latter played the activist Ché Cook, aka Winchester Cook, in the teen drama’s fourth season.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, over 200 actors auditioned for the part, including Brody’s “Shazam!” co-star Zachary Levi and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Glenn Howerton, who was ultimately Gunn’s second choice.

Pratt, who Gunn merely saw as the chubby character Andy Dwyer on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” was declared perfect for the role seconds into his audition.

Brody has auditioned for a handful of other superhero movies, sharing he read for “The Green Lantern” and “was in a ‘Justice League’ one for a minute, an aborted one.”

The actor is finally making his big debut in the genre in DC’s “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” after making a surprise cameo in 2019’s “Shazam!”

“It was a long time coming and I don’t know, it was fun,” Brody said.

“It was a novelty, and I would definitely do more, but at this point in my life and my career — and at this point in the saturation of them — it didn’t feel like I’ve arrived.”