Chris Pratt Slams AI Hysteria, Says No Robot Will Replace Him: “All Bulls”
Chris Pratt did not mince words regarding the rise of artificial intelligence in Hollywood during the New York premiere of his latest film, Mercy. The action star made it clear Tuesday night that he is not losing sleep over the possibility of being replaced by digital avatars.
Speaking to Variety, Pratt dismissed the hysteria surrounding synthetic performers with his signature blunt humor.
He specifically targeted the buzz surrounding “Tilly Norwood,” a digital entity that has caused a stir in the entertainment industry. “I don’t feel like someone’s gonna replace me that’s AI,” Pratt stated confidently. “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.”
Despite his colorful dismissal of the specific avatar, Pratt did acknowledge the technology’s inevitability. He admitted that AI will “inevitably disrupt the industry” but believes it can be “an amazing tool in the right hands.” However, he drew a hard line when it comes to the essence of creativity and emotional depth.
“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 argued. This sentiment echoes a growing consensus among top-tier talent that while the tech is impressive, it lacks the lived experience required for true art.
The “Tilly Norwood” character Pratt referenced is a synthetic AI performer created by Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden. The character was unveiled at the Zurich Film Festival last summer, accompanied by claims that the avatar would soon sign for talent representation. This announcement triggered immediate backlash from unions like SAG-AFTRA.
The guild stated that characters like Tilly create “the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry.” Van der Velden has since defended her creation against these accusations. She insisted Tilly is “not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art.”
The film Mercy, which served as the backdrop for these comments, is a sci-fi thriller directed by Timur Bekmambetov. The movie is set in a near-future where capital crime has increased, and it follows a detective accused of a violent crime who must prove his innocence. Bekmambetov is best known for his stylized action films like Wanted and Night Watch.
Pratt stars in the film alongside Rebecca Ferguson, who brings her own sci-fi pedigree from the Dune franchise and Mission: Impossible. The cast also features Annabelle Wallis, Kali Reis, and Chris Sullivan. The film promises to deliver the high-octane action sequences that have become synonymous with Pratt’s career.
Before stepping into this gritty sci-fi role, Pratt has been dominating the global box office with voice-over work. He voiced the titular character in the massive hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which broke several animation records. He also voiced the Monday-hating cat in The Garfield Movie, further cementing his status as a family-friendly lead.
On the small screen, Pratt continues to lead the cast of The Terminal List on Amazon Prime Video. The conspiracy thriller series has been successful enough to spawn a prequel series, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf. That project will focus on Taylor Kitsch’s character, Ben Edwards, with Pratt serving as an executive producer and recurring guest star.
Pratt also recently wrapped up his tenure as Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. While the film marked the emotional conclusion of the current team’s iteration, the post-credits scene teased that his character would eventually return. Whether that return happens in a solo project or an Avengers ensemble remains to be seen.
Tell us if you think AI performers like Tilly Norwood are a real threat to human actors or just a passing fad in the comments.
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