As Marvel slowly peels back the curtain on Avengers: Doomsday (2026), fans are doing what they always do best in moments like this: reading between the lines. With casting announcements arriving selectively and secrecy still very much part of Marvel’s playbook, even educated guesses are starting to feel meaningful.One of the biggest questions floating around right now centers on Chris Pratt and whether Star-Lord will play a role in the next Avengers event. Marvel Studios hasn’t confirmed anything publicly, but a recent prediction has added real fuel to the conversation—and given fans a reason to believe his return could be more than wishful thinking.Credit: Marvel StudiosThat prediction comes from insiders from ComicBook, which recently laid out several bold ideas about what Avengers: Doomsday might look like once it finally hits theaters.Why Star-Lord Is Back in the SpotlightWhen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) wrapped up, Peter Quill’s story landed in an unexpected place. He returned to Earth, reconnected with his family, and stepped away from the Guardians. On paper, it felt like a clean ending—but not necessarily a permanent one.That’s where this latest prediction comes in. Rather than throwing Star-Lord back into the middle of cosmic chaos, the theory suggests Marvel could reintroduce him in a much different role—one that reflects both his growth and where the MCU is heading next.“One of the more out-there theories circulating about Avengers: Doomsday involves Star-Lord’s role in the movie,” the theory said. “It suggests that he will return as previously teased by the MCU, but in the surprising role as a mentor to the franchise’s Young Avengers.”It’s a quieter idea than a full-scale Guardians reunion, but arguably a more interesting one.Credit: Marvel StudiosThe Young Avengers Connection Feels IntentionalMarvel has been steadily setting the table for the Young Avengers for years now. Characters like Kate Bishop and Kamala Khan are already established, and more pieces continue to fall into place. What the group lacks is someone who’s experienced enough to guide them—but not so larger-than-life that they overshadow the team.That’s exactly why Star-Lord works.“The MCU’s Young Avengers team will surely appear in some capacity, and Star-Lord is the perfect candidate to mentor them,” ComicBook shared. His apparent retirement on Earth at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 sets him up perfectly for a mentorship role.”Unlike Captain America or Iron Man, Star-Lord brings chaos, humor, and hard-earned mistakes. He’s been wrong before. He’s failed publicly. And that makes him a believable voice for younger heroes who are still figuring things out.What’s Important to Clarify Right NowDespite how logical the theory sounds, there’s one key thing fans need to keep in mind: Chris Pratt has not been confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday (2026). Marvel has made no official announcement, and there’s been no verified casting confirmation tying him to the film.That doesn’t mean it won’t happen—but it does mean expectations should stay grounded.Marvel has been especially careful with this project, already saving certain casting news for maximum impact. And that leads many fans to believe Avengers: Doomsday will lean heavily on surprise reveals rather than gradual rollouts.Credit: Marvel StudiosWhy Fans Expect a Major Reveal MomentIf there’s one thing Marvel has mastered, it’s timing. Avengers films thrive on entrances that hit hard—unexpected returns, emotional callbacks, and characters stepping back into the spotlight at just the right moment.Star-Lord fits that formula perfectly.After being framed as “retired,” his sudden appearance would immediately raise stakes and signal that Avengers: Doomsday is operating on a much bigger scale. It wouldn’t feel random. It would feel earned.That’s why many fans believe Pratt, if he does return, will be saved as one of the movie’s big unveils rather than announced early.Where Things Stand NowOutside of Pratt, we already know that many of the beloved MCU actors will be returning, headlined by Robert Downey Jr., who is set to play the role of Doctor Doom in this film after a longstanding run as Tony Stark / Iron Man from the beginning through Avengers: Endgame (2019). It has also been confirmed that Chris Evans will make a return.For the moment, Chris Pratt’s status sits firmly in the “unconfirmed but plausible” category. The pieces are there. The story logic works. And the MCU clearly isn’t finished exploring what comes after its original heroes step aside.Whether Star-Lord mentors the next generation in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) or shows up in a different way entirely remains to be seen. But the fact that his name is back in serious discussion says a lot about how central his character still feels to Marvel’s future.Until Marvel makes it official, fans will keep watching closely—waiting to see which familiar faces are being saved for the biggest surprises of all.The post Report: Chris Pratt Status for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Revealed appeared first on Inside the Magic.