Chris Pratt recently revealed in an Entertainment Weekly interview that he suggested using an AI actor to portray the tyrannical AI judge in the upcoming sci-fi film Mercy. Despite Pratt’s enthusiasm, the production team quickly dismissed the idea, ultimately casting Rebecca Ferguson for the role instead. The discussion around the AI judge character highlighted Pratt’s interest in innovative casting approaches within the movie’s near-future setting.
Insights into the Casting Discussions and Creative Decisions
During early conversations about character casting, Pratt recalled pitching the idea of creating an AI to play the judge. He said,
“I remember talking about the various people who could play these characters, and early on, I was like, ‘Should we have it be an AI, where the judge is actually AI, and we create an AI?’ And everyone was like, ‘No, I don’t think so,’”
Chris Pratt said.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.’”
He explained that the decision to reject the AI actor concept was part of a natural collaborative process:
“So it was actually never a possibility any more than anything is a possibility when you’re zeroing in on what the outcome is going to be and what the choices are that you’re going to make. It’s a collaborative effort.”
Unconventional Ideas Explored Early in Development
Pratt also shared another offbeat casting idea from the film’s early planning stages. He considered having his character choose the judge’s face, humorously imagining casting Oprah Winfrey for the role:
“But one of my pitches early on was like, ‘What if [my character] could pick the judge, and I could pick Oprah, or I could pick anyone I want. Because ultimately it’s just a face on a [screen].’ And I thought that would be funny to have Oprah do it.”
Plot and Themes of Mercy
Mercy, produced by Amazon MGM, follows Pratt as Chris Raven, a police officer from the near future who faces trial for his wife’s murder, played by Annabelle Wallis. Rebecca Ferguson takes on the role of the AI judge who gives Raven just 90 minutes to prove his innocence or face execution. The film explores themes of AI’s oppressive influence and ethical dilemmas around technology, which became central topics during the press tour.
Pratt’s Stance on AI Actors and Industry Changes
At the film’s New York premiere, Pratt addressed concerns about AI replacing human performers. He expressed strong skepticism about the hype surrounding synthetic AI actors such as Tilly Norwood, dismissing it as unfounded panic. Pratt declared:
“I don’t feel like someone’s gonna replace me that’s AI,”
and added,
“I heard this Tilly Norwood thing, I think that’s all bullshit. I’ve never seen her in a movie. I don’t know who this bitch is. It’s all fake until it’s something.”
The Broader Impact and Future Outlook
Pratt’s rejected AI actor pitch and outspoken views on AI in entertainment reflect ongoing industry tensions around artificial intelligence’s role in filmmaking. While his idea to use an AI judge was ultimately set aside, the conversations highlight evolving creative boundaries in science fiction storytelling. As AI technology continues to advance, debates over its place in acting and production are likely to intensify, shaping future projects in the genre and beyond.
