Chris Pratt Blasts AI Panic: “It’s All Fake Until It’s Something”
Chris Pratt didn’t hold back when talking about artificial intelligence in Hollywood during the New York premiere of his new film, Mercy. The actor made it clear he isn’t worried about AI replacing him anytime soon. Speaking with Variety on Tuesday, Pratt had some choice words about the hype surrounding digital actors.
He specifically called out “Tilly Norwood,” a virtual AI performer causing waves in the industry. “I don’t feel like someone’s gonna replace me that’s AI,” Pratt said. “I heard this Tilly Norwood thing, I think that’s all bull****, I’ve never seen her in a movie. I don’t know who this b**** is. It’s all fake until it’s something.”
Even though he dismissed the panic, Pratt admitted AI will change the industry. He said it could be “an amazing tool in the right hands” but insisted it could never replace true human emotion. “I don’t think you’re going to replace the human soul of a director or a writer or an actor or a singer or any of this stuff that requires human yearning and suffering and vision in art,” he explained.
The AI performer Pratt mentioned, created by Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden, caused major controversy after its debut at the Zurich Film Festival last summer. Van der Velden claimed Tilly Norwood is “not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art.” However, SAG-AFTRA and other industry unions criticized the character, warning that it could “put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry.”
Pratt’s comments came during the premiere of Mercy, a sci-fi thriller directed by Timur Bekmambetov. The film is set in the near future and follows a detective accused of a violent crime who must prove his innocence. Pratt stars alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis, Kali Reis, and Chris Sullivan.
Outside of Mercy, Pratt continues to dominate in both movies and streaming shows. He recently wrapped his role as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and stars in Amazon Prime’s The Terminal List while serving as executive producer on the spinoff, Dark Wolf. He also voices characters in family-friendly hits like The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Despite all the talk of AI, Pratt is confident human actors aren’t going anywhere. He made it clear that no computer can replace the heart and emotion actors bring to their craft. “I don’t feel like someone’s gonna replace me that’s AI,” he said, repeating the sentiment that had him rolling his eyes at the hype.
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