Guardians of the Galaxy
Chris Pratt takes centre stage in Marvel's newest franchise, Guardians of the Galaxy

His co-star, Zoe Saldana, was hesitant about his appointment to the main role and told Vanity Fair: "I just thought really? ... But then I get to know him and, within 20 minutes, I just knew, oh my god, he’s perfect for the part."

If she had initial concerns, surely critics will have done too. But he’s overcome those who may have thought he was not well-known enough, not fit enough and not good enough and he has led in a production that some are calling Marvel’s best film yet and the first in a franchise that could be Star Wars for a new generation.

MORE: Chris Pratt Tries Rapping A Bit Of Enimem 

With Guardians of the Galaxy 2 already having secured a release date, it’s no surprise that Pratt has signed a multi-film deal with Marvel and, as if to seal his new superhero status, he received the CinemaCon Award for Breakthrough Performer in March 2014.

His rising superstardom and effectiveness as a lead character has not only been noticed by Marvel and, in late 2013, it was confirmed he would take a starring role in the fourth Jurassic Park instalment, Jurassic World.

If we didn’t know who Chris Pratt was before, it looks like we’re definitely going to know who he is from now.