An exciting Star-Lord variant appears in the What If..?, animated series, when T'Challa becomes the character through a strange twist of fate. More unusual Star-Lord versions exist in Marvel Comics, including in alternate realities and within the Earth-616 continuity itself. Some likely appear in live-action as The Multiverse Saga unfolds in the MCU.

Some Star-Lord variants count among the most powerful characters in any universe, reaching god-like status while others might even hint at the MCU version screen future. They also include wonderful mashups with other characters like Groot that would make for fun developments to see in the movies.

Updated November 30, 2022, by Darby Harn:

Star-Lord had some great moments in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, though the Disney+ event didn't feature any variants of the character. However, numerous Star-Lord iterations could emerge in the MCU as it continues into Phases 5 and 6. With The Multiverse Saga just beginning and Kang the Conqueror rising, fans can expect more Star-Lord than they likely ever imagined in the coming years.

Sinjin Quarrel

Marvel Comics introduced Star-Lord in Marvel Preview #4 in 1976. A new version emerged in 1996, with essentially the same look but less power. Sinjin Quarrel wore Star-Lord armor, which insulated him against most conventional attacks as well as the cold, unforgiving vacuum in interstellar space.

He also used the Element Gun, a powerful weapon that harnesses the universe's elemental power. This gun exists in as many forms as Star-Lord himself does throughout the comics, though it's yet to appear in live-action.

Star-Lord (Earth-691)

Guardians 3000 from 2014 brought together the original Guardians of the Galaxy from the 31st century with the modern version. It also introduced a powerful Star-Lord variant from Earth-691. This version ruled Spartax, but with limited resources. He commanded a space fleet that the evil Badoon had mostly decimated.

This version presumably shared his father's powerful alien physiology, making him somewhat immortal. His long lifespan remains an open question both in the comics and in the MCU.

Gamora 2061

In the Earth-TRN421 alternate reality set in the year 2061, Gamora leads the Guardians of the Galaxy as Star-Lord. She shares Gamora's powers and abilities from primary continuity, including superhuman strength, stamina, and agility, all gained from experiments Thanos performed on her.

She also possesses a regenerative healing factor, making her very hard to defeat in battle and nearly impossible to kill. Like Peter Quill, she's an expert marksperson and hand-to-hand fighter.

Major Victory

In the comic where Gamora takes over as Star-Lord, 2014's 100th Anniversary Special - Guardians of the Galaxy #1, readers discover Quill actually faked his death. He also assumed the Major Victory identity. He possesses Star-Lord's abilities, as well as Major Victory's, most notably his shield.

The shield belonged to Captain America earlier in this alternate timeline. Major Victory also utilizes armbands derived from Celestial technology that teleport him terrific distances across space.

Nova Corps

Peter Quill once abandoned the Star-Lord persona and stopped using the superhuman powers he inherited from his father, J'Son of Spartax. During this time he ed the Nova Corps and fought against the Annihilation Wave unleashed on Earth-616 by Annihilus, among the most powerful Fantastic Four villains in the comics.

While he didn't rely on his powers at this time, he utilized the Nova Corps' laser blasters and armor, making him a highly effective soldier in the fight against Annihilus, a character certain to appear in the MCU eventually.

Nova

Comic book fans know Nova plays an important role in the greater cosmic Marvel Universe. The character remains on the sidelines in Marvel Comics, but a Star-Lord variant may hint at his future. This version from Earth-92241 wields Star-Lord's base powers as well as the Nova Star, a powerful artifact that created Nova Corps .

The Nova Star instantly created an armored suit around a person upon , granting them superhuman abilities including the power to fly in space at incredible speeds. The suit also proved hardy enough to stand up to Thanos in direct battle.

Earth-616

Comic book fans know the Star-Lord in the current comics, and the basis for the MCU version, is actually a variant himself. The Earth-616 version, imbued with hybrid human-Spartax physiology, features superhuman strength, stamina, and heightened reflexes. He also enjoys a healing factor that makes him functionally immortal.

The original Star-Lord introduced in Marvel Preview #4 in 1976 existed in an alternate reality to the modern one, though he potentially appears in live-action during The Multiverse Saga.

Cyborg

The cyborg Peter Quill from Earth-616 gained somewhat heightened abilities thanks to cybernetic enhancements. He began augmenting himself with cybernetic implants while imprisoned in the Kyln, an intergalactic prison. His primary implant at this time was in his eye, which allowed him to see virtually the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

He also had cables that ran from his neck into his arms. This version only lasted a brief time after his return to continuity in the early 2000s.

Age Of Ultron

The Star-Lord in Age of Ultron, an alternate reality where Ultron successfully takes over the world, is the same in powers and abilities as his Earth-616 version. In addition to his physiology, he's also an expert marksman and tactician, making him an ideal asset in the battle against Ultron.

In this reality, Star-Lord ed the Defenders, who replaced the Avengers as the main superhero team, rather than the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Old Man Quill

Old Man Quill hails from another dark future in Marvel Comics lore. This older version relies on his alien strength and fortitude to avenge the death of his family and people. Though he's older in this reality, Quill remains among the best Marvel Comics martial artists and firearms masters.

He uses these skills to hunt down The Universal Church of Truth, the intergalactic organization founded by Adam Warlock, responsible for the wholesale slaughter on Spartax.