Chris Pratt isn’t worried about AI taking over Hollywood, saying real emotion, struggle, and soul can’t be replaced by tech.
Chris Pratt is not losing sleep over artificial intelligence stepping into Hollywood — especially when it comes to acting.
Speaking at the New York premiere of his new film Mercy, the Guardians of the Galaxy star made it clear he’s not buying into the panic surrounding AI “actors” like Tilly Norwood.
While some in the industry fear synthetic performers could threaten real jobs, Pratt says the concern feels overblown.
“I don’t feel like someone’s going to replace me,” Pratt said, brushing off the idea that AI could take over human roles on screen. He added that the hype around AI performers doesn’t feel real to him yet, noting that he hasn’t seen one actually lead a major film.
From Pratt’s point of view, AI may shake things up, but it won’t erase what makes movies meaningful. He believes storytelling depends on lived experiences — pain, joy, failure, and hope — things technology simply can’t feel.
“There’s a human soul behind art,” he explained, pointing to actors, writers, singers, and directors who pour real emotion into their work. According to Pratt, that emotional core is what audiences connect with, and no algorithm can recreate it.
That doesn’t mean he’s anti-AI. In fact, Pratt sees potential for the technology to be useful behind the scenes. He described AI as a tool that could help filmmakers in smart ways, as long as it’s used responsibly. Still, he believes great films will always come from human creativity, not machines.
The debate heated up last year after Tilly Norwood, a digital performer created by Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden, was introduced at the Zurich Film Festival.
The idea of an AI actor signing with talent agencies sparked backlash, especially from SAG-AFTRA, which warned that synthetic performers could threaten livelihoods and devalue real artistry.
Van der Velden pushed back, saying Tilly was meant to be an art project, not a replacement for humans.
Pratt’s view lines up with other big names in Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio has also said AI lacks the humanity needed to create real art, even if it can help younger filmmakers experiment.
For Pratt, the message is simple: technology may evolve, but the heart of Hollywood still beats with real people. And for now, he’s confident that’s not changing anytime soon.
