Many woke up this morning to the very sad news that Sam Neill died at the age of 78. The New Zealand-born actor’s passing was announced by his family on social media and, quite frankly, it’s hard to believe the beloved thespian is no longer with us. Fans and film pundits alike have since been paying tribute to the late Jurassic Universe star. And, unsurprisingly, a number of Neill’s former collaborators are doing the same, as Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and a host of others have shared incredibly kind words about him.

Laura Dern played the Dr. Ellie Sattler to Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic movies, and the two had incredible on-screen chemistry. Aside from their work, though, Neill and Dern forged a personal friendship, and it was also delightful to see them reunite. Dern reacted to Neill’s death via a statement shared with Variety, and the Oscar winner’s sweet thoughts are so sweet:

Both Dern and Neill had the opportunity to reprise their roles as Sattler and Grant for 2022’s Jurassic World Dominion years after they last appeared in the franchise in 2001’s Jurassic Park III. In the more recent movie, directed by Colin Trevorrow, the pair were also joined by co-star Jeff Goldblum, who famously played Dr. Ian Malcolm. Goldblum reacted to Neill’s death on Instagram, sharing a still from JP and penning a brief, but loving, message in honor of his buddy:

Neill’s exact cause of death has not been released, though it’s been reported that he was cancer-free after having been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer in 2022. The following year, Goldblum spoke highly of Neill and said that he was doing well and that they had been in “constant” contact. Also joining this recent course of tributes for Neill was Chris Pratt, who worked with Neill on J-World Dominion. The Owen Grady actor said this about his former co-star on his Instagram story:

Additionally, another person to memorialize Sam Neill was Steven Spielberg, who directed him in the all-time classic Jurassic Park. Spielberg released a statement that was shared with Variety and said he was “saddened” by Neill’s death. Spielberg shared the following:

Jurassic franchise producer Frank Marshall also reached out in the aftermath of Neill’s death. On X, the producer shared a still of a camera monitor shot from a previous shoot and said this:

Sam Neill’s body of work is quite impressive and extends beyond the Jurassic movies. Sleeping Dogs (his film debut), Possession, The Hunt for Red October, The Piano and Event Horizon are just a few of the titles in his filmography. Not only that, but Neill also appeared on shows like Peaky Blinders and The Tudors. Neill left an indelible mark due to his body of work and, as Spielberg asserted he won’t be forgotten as an artist. Though I’d wager those who knew him will remember him fondly for being a great human being.

The 4th of July is here, and it’s time to celebrate not only by watching fireworks but by catching a flick or two at your local theater. There are plenty of 2026 movie releases to choose from, like Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters, Supergirl and more. However, Chris Pratt shouted out a different recently released film when sharing his take on what audiences should see to celebrate America’s 250th birthday (and it makes so much sense).

Anyone in need of a movie recommendation should know that Chris Pratt posted an Instagram reel in which he shouted out Young Washington, an under-the-radar new George Washington biopic that hit theaters this past Friday. Check out the video below to see Pratt's effusive praise for the movie, and its lead actor:

Based on the early life of the eponymous Founding Father, the Jon Erwin-directed and co-written epic war-drama flick chronicles George Washington's leadership of the Virginia militia during the French and Indian War. William Franklyn-Miller plays the lead role, and he's joined by veteran actors Ben Kingsley, Andy Serkis, Mary-Louise Parker and Kelsey Grammer.

It’s understandable as to why Pratt would consider this a must-watch, as we honor 250 years of our nation. I mean, why not learn about a part of Washington’s life that some may not even be that aware of? Pratt also sells the film in a big way by calling it a mixture of The Revenant, Braveheart and Pride and Prejudice. Now, if that's not a ringing endorsement, then I don't know what is!

It's also great to see Pratt shout out Franklyn-Miller, who is a British actor and model While the up-and-coming actor has had small parts in TV shows like Arrow and Neighbours, the George Washington biopic marks his big-screen debut. Franklyn-Miller also has more work on the way, as he'll be starring in the upcoming Apple TV series Neuromancer and the book-to-TV screen adaptation of The Age of Innocence that’s expected to be available for Netflix subscription holders.

Of course, the public doesn't necessarily have to go see Young Washington, as there are plenty of other options as well. And I'm not just talking about movies that are currently playing in theaters. Cinema aficionados can also watch a perfect trio of patriotic ‘90s action flicks -- Independence Day, Air Force One and Con Air -- which are all streamable with Disney+ subscription. There are also other great titles on the streamer and other platforms that'll have people feel patriotic.

Still, fans are more than welcome to take Chris Pratt’s recommendation for Young Washington if they so choose. It goes without saying that it's huge to be able to say that we live in a time at which we can celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. So it might behoove Americans to find some way or another to signify such a momentous occasion.

On that note, viewers can see what the Jurassic World actor is talking about by catching Young Washington in theaters now. And, while you're at it, seek out some of Chris Pratt's blockbusters to watch over the holiday as well.

Parks and Recreation ended over 11 years ago, but the series is still being streamed for those with a Peacock subscription and is arguably one of the best sitcoms of all time. While the series never won an Emmy, you can’t deny the comedic timing is pretty on point, and I'm not just talking what we saw when the show aired. I actually just saw a blooper of Chris Pratt accidentally destroying the set, and given how repetitively I watched it, I wanted to share it, here.

I am a sucker for a good blooper reel because it just shows how much the cast and even the crew love their jobs and how much fun they often have on set. With a show like Parks and Rec, you know there’s bound to be great bloopers that make the comedy even better. Instagram user bloopersbehindthescenes shared a clip of Pratt, who starred as Andy Dwyer for Parks and Rec’s entire seven-season run, accidentally destroying some lights after throwing a briefcase. Take a look:

He may have destroyed the lights, but I’m more impressed with Pratt’s aim. He perfectly hit the light switch and, as Rob Lowe put it, “shattered” it. Then there was the actor's funny impromptu song about how the props department was going to have trouble fixing it, as co-stars Lowe and Amy Poehler, and some of the crew continued laughing about the whole situation. In pure Chris Pratt fashion, he tried to get away from it all by jumping back over the desk, and in turn, knocked down a computer monitor, which really just ended the blooper on the absolutely perfect note.

I cannot stop watching this video, and it’s honestly funnier each time. This does make me wonder just how much of the set Pratt eventually broke throughout the show’s run, because judging by the way the crew was laughing about what happened, here, it may not have been the first occurrence. To be fair, though, you can’t really fault Pratt for breaking the lights, because how was he supposed to know that he’d end up hitting the light switch so perfectly? It's such an over-the-top ill-timed thing to happen, and fits Andy Dwyer's personality on the show so exactly.

Seeing this blooper just makes me want to rewatch Parks and Rec. It’s one of many sitcoms perfect for the next long binge, and laughter is definitely just what I need this holiday weekend. This also makes me want to go back and scour the Internet for other bloopers from some of my favorite shows and movies, especially when they are just as hilarious, or even more hilarious, than the actual project. I'm on the hunt!

Anna Faris has been a celebrity for some time now and, as such, she’s seemingly experienced both the highs and lows of stardom. Right now, the fan-favorite actress is experiencing the box office success of the latest Scary Movie installment. Ahead of this moment, though, she’s also dealt with career droughts as well as a highly publicized divorce from Chris Pratt. Faris recently opened up about what it was like going through such a public split, and she didn’t hold back her thoughts about experiencing “scrutiny” and more.

Back in September 2017, Faris and Pratt formally announced their separation and, by December of that year, they formally filed for divorce. Up through the time in which the divorce was finalized in 2018, the two stars received a considerable amount of attention from the media. Faris recently reflected on that period in her life while speaking with Variety, noting how it impacted her emotionally. The House Bunny star also got real about trying to protect her peace while navigating the ins and outs of Tinseltown:

Faris and Pratt met for the first time in 2007, at which point the two were taking part in a table read for the dramedy film Take Me Home Tonight. Ultimately, the two actors became engaged in 2008 and eventually tied the knot in 2009 and welcomed a son, Jack, in 2012. During the relationship, Faris worked consistently, though Pratt notably emerged as a true movie star via his roles in films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. To that point, Faris previously talked about feeling “competitiveness” in the relationship as she also did in her first marriage to Ben Indra.

Although her divorce from Chris Pratt was apparently challenging for her, Faris also had some brighter elements in her life to lean on at that time. One particular career venture proved to be just the outlet she needed:

Of course, today Faris continues to connect with people through her work, and she’s doing that in a big way right now. She reprises her role as Cindy Campbell in Scary Movie, and the 2026 movie schedule entry made a big splash when it hit theaters early this month. So far, the film has already grossed over $100 million worldwide against a reported production budget of $30 million. Faris also has three other films – I, Object, Spa Weekend and Primetime – that are set to be released this year.

As far as her personal life goes, Anna Faris has also maintained a solid relationship with Chris Pratt, who’s since married Katherine Schwarzenegger. Faris previously discussed her hopes of creating a blended family dynamic with them, and the Mom star even congratulated Pratt and Schwarzenegger after their first child – daughter Lyla – was born in 2020. So, overall, while the divorce may not have been the easiest situation for Faris to navigate, it seems like she (and her ex) have found the light at the end of the tunnel.

After nearly four years of waiting, we finally know when we’ll get to stream The Terminal List’s second season with an Amazon Prime subscription. Chris Pratt excitedly revealed this information at the Amazon Upfronts, and his enthusiasm was totally matched by the fans in the comments.

As Prime Video put on its big event that went over its releases on the 2026 TV schedule and beyond, Chris Pratt was there to chat about the new season of The Terminal List. Taking to the show’s Instagram account, he specifically revealed the release date of the highly anticipated second season of this book-to-screen adaptation, saying:

“Let’s go,” indeed! We’ve been waiting ages for this news. I know that we got the prequel series, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, last year, and we were introduced to characters who will be in Season 2 through that. However, it’s been over three years since the flagship show got renewed. So, this news has been a long time coming.

Now, we finally know when we’ll get to see the next adaptation of one of Jack Carr’s beloved books! And fans are freaking out about it too, as they took to Pratt’s video to comment things like:

• Outstanding!!!🔥🔥❤️👏 -timabell
• SO excited!!!! Cannot wait!! 👏🏻❤️ -shellzy_belle
• Chris, I can't wait 🔥🔥 -mariemtoledo
• LFG!!! 🙌 Best show that exists 🔥-romanarthur1
• I’m past ready!! Very excited! -misty.everhart.24

As you can see, the fans (and I) are more than ready for this new season of The Terminal List. So, let’s discuss what we know about it. Season 2 is set to follow Carr’s novel, True Believer, which sees Pratt’s character James Reece go on a journey around the world to try and stop a “series of coordinated and murderous attacks.”

Along with Pratt leading the cast, the ensemble will also feature Dar Salim’s Mo Farooq, Luke Hemsworth’s Jules Landry and Tom Hopper’s Raife Hastings. Notably, all three of those characters were introduced and played very big parts in the prequel series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, which premiered last year. So, it will be exciting to see them return in the present timeline.

We only have to wait a few months to see all this, too. While October might seem far away, in comparison to the years that have passed since Season 1, it’s not that far off at all. I bet it will be well worth the wait, too! So, set your countdown, folks. The Terminal List will return for Season 2 on October 21.

Parks and Recreation may be a show that’s officially been off the air for over a decade, but that hasn’t stopped the cast from reuniting over the years and referencing their time on the show. When Aubrey Plaza did her first talk show since the public learned she’s pregnant, she ended up referencing a great scene from the beloved comedy, and I'm geeking out about it.

We learned that Aubrey Plaza is pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Christopher Abbott earlier this month. This week, the actress turned up on Late Night With Seth Meyers, where the host mentioned the pregnancy, and she responded to his comment in her classic deadpan delivery:

Oh yeah, that episode! In the finale of Parks and Recreation, April and Andy have a baby on Halloween, and Henry Winkler’s Dr. Lu Saperstein delivers it. You can check out the scene here:

You have to love how Aubrey Plaza just casually talked about Parks and Recreation unprompted. It is pretty funny that her most famous character has had a baby, and now she joked that she wants the guest star or Seth Meyers to assist her in the birth.

In the finale, April hilariously decides that she wants to wear Halloween makeup while giving birth – prompting Andy to say she looks “more beautiful” than he’s ever seen her. The whole exchange is classic Aubrey Plaza, and it’s moments like these that make me want to go to Pawnee and rewatch the whole show all over again.

Plaza was on Seth Meyers to promote a new show of hers that just dropped on the 2026 TV schedule. She co-created an adult animation TV show with her ex Joe Wengert about their cat, and it’s called Kevin. The show has a wild cast list, including Whoopi Goldberg and John Waters, and the first season is now streaming completely for those with an Amazon Prime subscription.

Being a mother-to-be reportedly came as a “beautiful surprise” to Aubrey Plaza and her partner, Christopher Abbott, per People. The actress has been dealing with the loss of her husband Jeff Baena, who died in January 2025, a few months after the couple had separated after being a couple since 2011. Along with getting ready to welcome her first child, Plaza has two animated movies on the way, The Ark and The Aardvark and Animal Friends.

Until then, I have to wonder what April and Andy’s baby is like...

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is showing no signs of slowing down, with projects consistently being released in theater and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Longtime fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have been curious about when Chris Pratt's Star-Lord would return to the universe, especially after the studio already confirmed he would... eventually. And a new Marvel rumor has offered a possible clue about when Peter Quill might be back on the big screen.

The ending of Guardians of the Galaxy 3 saw the cosmic team go their separate ways, with Peter returning to Earth and reuniting with his grandfather. The movie's closing title card confirmed he'd be back, but there's been no news about when. Scooper MTTSH (via SuperheroHype) recently made a bold claim about when this will occur, posting:

Talk about exciting. The Russo Brothers' pair of forthcoming Avengers flicks are arguably the two most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies. And while Pratt wasn't included in the Doomsday cast announcement, this report claims that he'll be reprising his signature role in its sequel Secret Wars. Hopefully we get confirmation one way or another about this thrilling news.

While we should probably take this report with a grain of salt, it would make sense if Chris Pratt got to return to the MCU in Avengers: Secret Wars. There are too many heroes to include them all in Doomsday, so perhaps The Russo Brothers will use their second forthcoming movie to bring in new faces. And after filming Infinity War and Endgame, the Parks & Rec star already has a good working relationship with the brothers.

Of course, it's more than possible that this rumor is false and Star-Lord doesn't have a role in Secret Wars. But with Marvel already claiming that we'd see more of Peter Quill, the pair of upcoming Avengers movies seem like the perfect opportunity to make this happen. And now that Chris Pratt's tenure in Jurassic World is up and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is in theaters, his schedule should presumably be more open for another MCU blockbuster. We'll just have to wait and see if a cast list is eventually provided.

Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list, and Secret Wars will follow suit on December 17th of 2027. Fingers crossed we learn about Star-Lord's return to the shared universe sooner rather than later.

Even though The Super Mario Galaxy Movie didn’t hit the same for critics and general moviegoers, it’s impossible for anyone to deny that Universal and Illumination cooked up another box office bonanza, even if it will probably fall short of the first film’s billion-dollar earnings. Amidst all the financial talk, though, the REAL $64,000 question was asked: how many eyes does Yoshi actually have? (Also, is The $64,000 Question relevant to anyone who watched this movie?)

The stars of the 2026 movie release — Chris Pratt, Charlie Day and Donald Glover — were guests on my personal favorite video game podcast, Get Played, where co-host Heather Anne Campbell (of Rick and Morty fame) engaged in the hard ocular-based journalism by asking the trio about Yoshi’s eye count. And it’s a pure delight to see the three actors and three pod hosts (also including Doughboys' Nick "Tiger" Wiger and Strip Law voice actor Matt Apodaca) giggling over the inanity of what constitutes a demarcation between eye-whites.

Check out the video clip shared on Get Played’s TikTok below, and form your own conclusions in the meantime:

For those unable to watch the video, no need to fret about never knowing which body part Donald Glover thinks Yoshi's eye glob looks like. Here's what he had to say when asked the almighty question:

He's not wrong, though I don't really want to dwell on what Yoshi's eyeballs might resemble if one views his eye sockets as a butt. Glover also addressed the weirdness of Yoshi's eyeballs being able to cross that middle barrier; the crack, if you'd like. (One can assume he's put a ton of thought into this, considering how he campaigned for the role.) As he put it:

Mario voice actor Chris Pratt, who has quite a bit of onscreen experience with other kinds of CGI dinosaurs, had a different eye-pinion from Yoshi's voice actor. According to the Jurassic World franchise star:

It's certainly a more logical take on the question, and it's probably the answer that I'd agree with most if I were betting money on it. Creatures with one eye would very likely get snuffed out of the food chain by those with pairs of peepers. But that's a situation where the single eyeball would probably be smaller in size, and not the double-sized sockets that Yoshi has.

Elsewhere in the conversation, Heather Anne Campbell addressed the turtle shell on Yoshi's back, asking if the cast thinks of it as a "saddle," or if they believe it's "part of his body." It's a brilliant question for a character design that's been around so long his weird look is just natural at this point.

In any case, it sparks a two-sentence combo that is absolutely hilarious when removed from the context of this conversation.

Charlie Day argues that we technically have no idea if dinosaurs had shells or not, pointing to the discovery that many dinosaurs were feathered, even if the majority of pop culture projects featuring dinosaurs hasn't reflected that reality in the slightest.

Will any other upcoming video game adaptations spark similar debates between fans and stars? Definitely not the Sonic movies, since Paramount's films made sure to split up the titular hedgehog's semi-connected eyes for the jump to CGI.

While The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has divided critics and audiences, there’s nothing ambiguous about its commercial performance. The sequel scored the biggest box office opening weekend of 2026, albeit not making quite as much as The Super Mario Bros. Movie did when it opened in 2023. Nevertheless, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is off to a strong financial start, and Chris Pratt penned a sweet message to commemorate this achievement.

Pratt, of course, reprises Mario himself in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. This is the second of three movies he has on the 2026 release schedule, following February’s Mercy and ahead of November’s Way of the Warrior Kid. The actor wrote the following on his Instagram expressing gratitude for everyone who saw Nintendo’s latest cinematic offering this past weekend:

It’s worth noting that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie had an opening weekend head start by releasing on April 1, leaving A24’s The Drama as the biggest release of Friday. That amounted to a $190.1 million haul domestically, $130.9 million came during the Friday-Sunday period. Project Hail Mary came in second place, making $30.6 million during its third weekend in theaters, and The Drama followed third with $14.3 million. So yeah, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the biggest box office winner of the year thus far, and Chris Pratt is pleased with the turnout.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie went on to make over $1.3 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing movie based on a video game, and the second highest-grossing movie of 2023, trailing behind Barbie’s $1.4 billion. It’s too early to tell if The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will also cross $1 billion, but its opening weekend at least bodes well for the possibility. It just goes to show how far we’ve come from when the live-action Super Mario Bros. Movie bombed in 1993.

Chris Pratt was joined once again in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie by Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black and Keegan-Michael Key, while the cast newcomers include Brie Larson, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover and Glen Powell. The sequel sees Mario and the gang venturing into outer space to clash with both Bowser and Bowser Jr., as well as make new allies like Yoshi, Princess Rosalina and even Star Fox. Just like with the first movie, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic directed the feature, and Matthew Fogel penned the script.

If The Super Mario Galaxy Movie keeps shining at the box office, I won’t be surprised if Nintendo, Illumination and Universal Pictures announce a third Super Mario Bros. Movie in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the next Nintendo film adaptation coming up is the live-action The Legend of Zelda, which is being distributed by Sony Pictures and arrives on May 7, 2027.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly expanding, thanks to new titles hitting theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. There are a number of upcoming Marvel movies that fans are curious about, chief among them being Avengers: Doomsday. Actor Chris Pratt knows Marvel's tight security all too well, and he recently dodged questions about that blockbuster while promoting The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday has been super limited, and fans are filling in the blanks with rumors and theories. The Doomsday cast announcement confirmed a huge ensemble cast of heroes, although Pratt was noticeably missing. Some fans are still hoping Star-Lord pop up, and in a clip from The Today Show's Instagram, Pratt expertly sidestepped the question about whether or not he was going to appear. Check it out for yourself below:

Now that is someone who has been media trained. Pratt didn't confirm or deny that he'll appear in the next Avengers movie alongside fellow Chrises Evans and Hemsworth. Instead he avoided the question and pivoted over to promote the movie he was actually there for: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. We'll jut have to wait until Doomsday hits theaters to know whether or not he has a role.

While the Parks & Recreation star hasn't been confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, Kevin Feige did tease that more familiar faces would be included. This was proven right when Steve Rogers' teaser dropped, confirming Chris Evans was once again playing his signature role. So it doesn't seem impossible that Pratt's hero would also have a surprise appearance.

The end of Guardians of the Galaxy 3 confirmed that Star-Lord would be back in the MCU... eventually. But it's been unclear when this will occur, especially since James Gunn has pivoted over to DC as co-CEO. But since Chris Pratt worked with The Russo Brothers on the next last two Avengers movies, it feels logical that he might end up with a role in Doomsday and/or Secret Wars.

If he does have a top-secret appearance in those blockbusters, then at least Chris Pratt is guarding those secrets. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have seen as names like Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo spoiled major plot twists.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. But first up is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on April 1st, with Pratt once again voicing the title character.

Chris Pratt is a funny guy. His comedic timing was on full display when he played Andy on Parks and Recreation, I still think about the dance off from Guardians of the Galaxy, and he’s always been very charming and witty in interviews. However, now we have proof that his team is also very funny, as they pulled a Mario-centric prank on him in the lead-up to the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on the 2026 movie schedule.

At the moment, there’s been a lot of talk about this movie, as they announced that Donald Glover will play Yoshi and fans picked a part new posters for deep-cut details. Meanwhile, the cast appears to be gearing up for their press tour as Pratt posted this hilarious video on his Instagram:

As you can see, Pratt’s team covered him in three different-sized Mario toys while he took a nap. And with each cut, the toys of the character he voices moved around him. By my count, the Marios moved about 26 times during the video. That makes me wonder how long they were at this, and how long the actor’s nap was. Clearly, they were committed to the bit, and I love how many positions they put the video game character in on and around Pratt’s body. (My personal favorite was the one where Mario had his plunger pointed at the actor’s nose, as if he were about to stick it up there.)

The Guardians of the Galaxy actor had a good sense of humor about all this, too. While he threw one of the toys at whoever was filming and had a sarcastic comeback in his caption, he seemed to have fun with this prank, as he wrote:

Now, while Pratt was being a bit moody in his caption, while also being entertained by all this, his wife was pointing out a different detail from the video. Down in the comments, Katherine Schwarzenegger wrote:

Listen, when you’re tired and in need of a nap, anything remotely soft can be a pillow…as this video proves.

All around, despite the caption that makes it seem like Pratt didn’t love this, this was such a wholesome and silly prank. And it got me even more excited for the release of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. I enjoyed the first one, which you can stream with a Peacock subscription, and I’m excited to see the shenanigans the characters pull when they return this spring.

Which, speaking of, that film comes out very soon. The video game adaptation will hit theaters on April 1, so who knows, maybe some more fun pranks and jokes are coming our way between now and then.

Chris Pratt is one of Hollywood's highest-grossing actors, with roles in major franchises such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World, The LEGO Movie and Super Mario Bros. That’s only one half of his identity though. Even though he jokingly put his family 8th on his top essentials list, the Parks and Recreation actor is known to be a big family man. According to his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, there is one major reason why she is grateful to have him for a husband.

The best Chris in Hollywood debate will probably never be settled, but for Katherine Schwarzenegger, Chris Pratt has always been her number 1. The two got married in 2019 after a whirlwind courtship. Schwarzenegger told People why Pratt takes the cake for one reason above all others:

Given Chris Pratt’s natural comedic improv abilities, it doesn’t surprise me that there’s a lot of laughter in that house. Shared humor is always an important part of a healthy relationship, but it’s especially needed during hard times of tight public scrutiny that celebrities often face.

The Marvel actor and New York Times best-selling author first started dating in early 2018, amidst Pratt’s divorce from actress Anna Faris. Pratt and Schwarzenegger’s relationship quickly escalated to an engagement in December of the same year. Then, nearly a year after tying the knot in 2019, the newlyweds welcomed their first baby together during the summer of 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This may sound like a very quick relationship timeline, but friends and family of the couple, including Terminator actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, confirm the pair are deeply in love. Thank goodness for their shared love and Pratt’s lighthearted attitude, because it hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows during their eight years together.

The Tomorrow War actor has faced more than one wave of internet backlash over controversial comments, but the most intense was over an Instagram caption in 2021. What was supposed to be a sweet sentiment celebrating his wife led to some misunderstood phrasing. In the post, Pratt thanked Katherine Schwarzenegger for giving him a “gorgeous, healthy daughter," which some fans took as a dig at his ex Anna Faris. The Mom actress had experienced premature birth complications with their now-13-year-old son, Jack Pratt. The Jurassic World actor denied this intention behind these words, and many people close to him confirmed what a loving father Pratt is to all his children.

I’m not saying Chris Pratt is perfect in any sense (people so rarely are), but it is difficult for me to believe the kind instincts he shows in public, like covering Electric State co-star Millie Bobby Brown’s wardrobe malfunction, aren’t his true nature. If anything, I certainly believe his wife when she says his jokes do not dry up when he steps off camera.

Be sure to catch Pratt’s signature sense of humor in the highly-anticipated Super Mario Galaxy Movie, set to hit theaters April 1 on the 2026 movie schedule.

Back in 2022, Chris Pratt burst onto our screens as James Reece in the book-to-screen adaptation of Jack Carr’s The Terminal List. It then got renewed for Season 2 in 2023. Well, now it’s 2026, and we are still waiting for that sophomore season. However, have no fear, because the author of these books posted a long-awaited update about the upcoming episodes.

Now, to be fair, last year we did get the prequel series, Terminal List: Dark Wolf, which followed Taylor Kitsch’s character, Ben Edwards, from the original show and featured Chris Pratt. That’s important to note, because a lot of the characters who were introduced in Dark Wolf will appear in Season 2. So, that helps make the wait worth it. This BTS video from Carr also helps support that statement, too, as he posted:

You heard them, “That’s a wrap!” And according to Carr, who is also an executive producer on the show, they are in the process of “editing the final episode” of the season. While he didn’t give a release date, the fact that they’re both wrapped and so far into editing gives me faith that Season 2 could premiere sometime on the 2026 TV schedule.

Along with an update about production and the post process, Jack Carr also gave fans some advice on how to use their time as they wait. While we’ve only gotten one season of The Terminal List, it does have a full spinoff, so there’s plenty to watch with an Amazon Prime subscription, as the author wrote:

If, for some reason, you’re reading this and haven’t watched Dark Wolf, it takes place before the events of Terminal List. It was actually inspired by Ben Edwards final scene in the flagship show, and it gives you an origin story for Kitsch’s character while also introducing you to vital Season 2 characters, like Tom Hopper’s Raife Hastings (who is featured in Carr’s video).

So, it would be useful to go back and watch both Dark Wolf and Season 1 before diving into Season 2, which will follow the book True Believer. The novel follows James Reece as he embarks on a global journey to try and put a stop to the people who cause a “series of coordinated and murderous attacks against the whole of the Western world.” I’m sure that will make for an exciting season of TV, and as both Carr’s video and Pratt’s BTS posts prove, we’re in for an action-packed adventure.

Well, with all that being said, there’s a lot to get excited about. While a release date is still unknown, and it’s unclear if the show will drop weekly or all at once (the author is pulling for all at once), the project is well on its way to us. And in the meantime, you can prepare for Season 2 by streaming Season 1 and Dark Wolf on Prime Video.

It may be hard to believe, but there was a time not too long ago when Chris Pratt was just another actor hoping to get a job. The 2026 movies star had a bit of a waiting period after his starring roles on Everwood and in the final season of The O.C., but found salvation in James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie’s 2008 action thriller, Wanted. However, he’s now talked about how “embarrassed” he was when someone literally stepped on his head in front of the leading lady.

What Chris Pratt Said About His Head Being Stepped On In Front Of Angelina Jolie

Most of us have our share of embarrassing moments, but few of them happen in front of famous people. That cannot be said for Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt, who once found himself as a young actor appearing in a film with the much-more-famous-than-him-at-the-time, Angelina Jolie.

Wanted (which has a lot in common with John Wick) saw Pratt take on a supporting role as Barry, a colleague and the supposed best friend of James McAvoy’s character, who takes some literal hits during the course of the movie. When speaking with the Happy Sad Confused podcast recently, Pratt was asked what it meant to him to land his part in the movie. While he was “totally starstruck” at working with Jolie and “excited” to go to Prague for production, it turns out that making the movie wasn’t without its incidents. As he explained:

This seems pretty straightforward so far, but as Pratt will soon explain, this is where he found himself in a difficult spot when it came to this much ballyhooed cameraman. He continued:

I have to admit, I am really feeling some visceral second-hand embarrassment right now. It’s bad enough that Pratt (who reunited with Wanted’s director for his recent film, Mercy), despite his four seasons as one of the main characters on Everwood, was still unaware of what’s in a shot and what isn’t. But add to that thinking that he was just doing his job correctly and ending up with having his head literally being stepped on? And with Jolie right there? We’re talking CRINGE + 1000, alright? To make it even worse, the camera operator wasn’t exactly in an apologetic mood afterwards, either. Pratt added:

Goodness me. I hope that was his last day on set, because I know I would have been tempted to leave work that day and just head straight for the airport so that I could flee Prague and the entire continent that bore witness to my professional shame.

Of course, whether it was the final scene he shot or not, everything ended up turning out fine, as he soon went on to make comedy waves in the beloved Parks and Recreation, which led to his blockbuster movie franchise stardom in several of the Marvel movies in order and his Jurassic World entries of the Jurassic Park franchise.

If anything, I suppose the takeaway should be to keep going after making a major mistake, because it’s unlikely to completely derail you if you don’t let it.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe constantly releases new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Despite this, folks who have been watching the Marvel movies in order know certain franchises are fan favorites. Chief among them is Guardians of the Galaxy, although the trilogy was briefly in jeopardy when James Gunn was temporarily fired by Marvel. And Chris Pratt recently recalled standing up for his frequent collaborator during that time.

Guardians 3's ending offered a happy conclusion for the motley crew of cosmic heroes, but there was a time when that movie was in serious jeopardy. Namely because Gunn was fired by Marvel over resurfaced tweets that were deemed offensive. While appearing on the podcast Happy Sad Confused, Pratt recalled this moment, sharing:

This reaction seems about right. Perhaps more than any other Marvel title, Guardians of the Galaxy is a director-driven series. Everything from James Gunn's dance moves, to his taste in music, to his sense of humor shaped the movies and made them so successful. So it seemed like a franchise-ending catastrophe when he was fired.

Shortly after this happened, the Guardians of the Galaxy cast penned a letter in solidarity with James Gunn. And eventually did an about-face, and brought him back into the gold for both Guardians 3 and the Holiday Special. In the same interview, Chris Pratt spoke about the filmmaker being asked to return to Marvel, saying:

Cancel culture was at the height of its power when James Gunn was removed from the Guardians franchise, and he is one of the few examples of someone being able to fully recover from it. Not only was he welcomed back to Marvel, but he's now the co-CEO of the DCU. That position was at least partly acquired thanks to his work on The Suicide Squad (streaming with a HBO Max subscription), which is a job he took after he was canned by Marvel.

From the looks of it, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 might be the final installment in the franchise, and Gunn's swan song at Marvel. While the movie's ending claimed that Chris Pratt's Star-Lord would be back, the filmmaker is now busy as the architect of the DCU.

The next Marvel movie hitting theaters is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. A DC title is coming one month earlier: Supergirl on June 26th.

Making movies can be a physically grueling experience, and while every precaution is taken to make sure that actors are kept safe, injuries happen. Just ask Tom Cruise. Chris Pratt apparently sustained an injury while filming his newest movie, Mercy, and he showed it off on social media. One hopes it looks worse than it is.

This is because, honestly, it looks pretty terrible. Pratt’s foot and ankle are incredibly swollen to the point that his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, is clearly having trouble even looking at it. Pratt is having fun with it, though, posting it to Instagram, referring to his foot as “The Claw” and doing his best impression of the little green aliens from Toy Story.

I’m not squeamish, but this is kinda gross. Human limbs aren’t supposed to look like that. It took me a moment for my eyes to adjust to what’s actually wrong with Chris Pratt’s foot, but once I realized what I was seeing, I freaked out a little bit.

Solid Toy Story reference aside, I have some serious questions about just how in the world Chris Pratt did this to himself while filming Mercy. The man spends 90% of the movie literally sitting in a chair and not moving. Did he fall out of the chair at the end of a take? How do you do this to yourself in a movie where you barely stand up?

In Mercy, Pratt stars as a police detective accused of murdering his wife. It takes place in a future world where his crime is judged by an AI, and the defendant has 90 minutes to prove his own innocence. As such, Pratt’s character is strapped to a chair and must defend himself by combing the internet for evidence.

There are some scenes in the film that have Pratt out of the chair, mostly in the form of surveillance footage or dash cams that captured his character in the period before the crime. So there are certainly some more action-oriented scenes, but an injury this ugly is just less likely considering how often Pratt doesn’t move in this movie.

Honestly, the best part of this video is Katherine Schwarzenegger's reaction. She’s laughing at the whole thing, but is clearly also grossed out by it all. She doesn’t understand why Pratt is posting the video to Instagram and not sending it to a doctor. He doesn’t even have ice on it or anything.

If this happened while filming Mercy, then the actual injury was sustained a while back, and if it was really anything serious, we’d probably have known about it. Chris Pratt is probably fine now. We certainly hope his wife doesn’t have to look at that disgusting foot anymore.

Movies based off video games have had a storied history, including a number of notable floops. But the subgenre has had some success lately, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie is arguably one of the best video game movies ever. Fans of the first animated film (which is streaming currently with an Amazon Prime Video subscription) will soon be treated to the sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. And Chris Pratt's two-word description of that project is getting me serious hyped for its arrival.

The first trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy introduced Rosalina to the burgeoning franchise, and we recently got the first clip with Yoshi. While speaking with Hits Radio UK, Chris Pratt described his second movie as everyone's favorite plumber, and he used the same phrase a few times: "next level." As he put it:

Honestly, I'm sold. While the first movie featured plenty iconic Nintendo characters and settings, it seems like we're going to get deeper into the lore with The Super Mario Galaxy movie. Chris Pratt is hyping up the scope of the sequel, and I have to assume that the generations of Mario fans are going to be very eager to see how his comment translate to the big screen.

The first Super Mario Bros. Movie ended up being a billion dollar hit at the box office, so it should come as no surprise that a sequel was quickly green lit. While it's primarily a kids movie, it also looked like it was ripped straight from the games, thus having appeal for adult fans. And adding in fan-favorites like Yoshi and Rosalina should only help the sequel get butts in seats.

Chris Pratt's "next level" comments also track given the first movie's box office haul. Illumination knows that the animated blockbuster can crush in theaters, so it was probably able to throw even more money into the budget for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. This will likely result in even more thrilling action, and cosmic visuals thanks to the cast taking to the stars. Funny enough, the limited footage we've seen so far hasn't featured a ton of the Galaxy part of the sequel.

All will be revealed when The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hits theaters on April 1st as part of the 2026 movie release list. As we get closer to its release, hopefully we see more of the "next level" footage from the highly anticipated video game movie.

Chris Pratt arguably achieved household name-status when he took on the starring role in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, but I have no doubt that plenty of us knew him from other things by then, and have appreciated his talent in other projects during that time and since. With that in mind, this week's TV/movie quiz is all about the Mercy star's roles in past films and TV shows.

Did I want to make half of these clues focused entirely on Andy Dwyer? Yes, I wanted to, but don't worry if you're not a Parks and Recreation fan, I resisted the urge to give the Mouse Rat singer all of the attention here. See how many clues you can solve in our Chris Pratt quiz below!

With the upcoming release later this year of Avengers: Doomsday, it’s perhaps a good time to take a look back at the massive cultural moment that was Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. It’s impossible to undersell just how much people loved those two films, or just how much people hated Peter Quill, and by extension Chris Pratt, for the character’s actions in the movie.

In a recent appearance on YouTube’s Out of Order channel, Pratt discussed the absolute hate that he got from MCU fans because, as many argued, Peter Quill’s rash actions in Infinity War arguably led to The Snap, and ultimately the death of Iron Man. Pratt explained…

In Avengers: Infinity War, the Guardians of the Galaxy, alongside Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange, have a plan to remove the Infinity Gauntlet from Thanos. The plan very nearly works until Peter Quill learns of the death of Gamora, causing Quill to lose control and allowing Thanos to regain the upper hand.

It’s no understatement to say that fans were mad at Peter Quill after all this. Even James Gunn didn't love what happened with the characters. People seemed to hold Chris Pratt personally responsible for the actions of his character. While the actor is absolutely right that there’s basically no second movie if Quill doesn’t do what he did, Pratt admits that he understands why people felt so strongly. He also says he had no idea at the time things would get that way. Pratt continued…

The events of the last two Avengers movies also led to an incredible final film in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, so while Star-Lord may have made a bad call, it certainly worked out for movie fans. We’ve been promised Star-Lord will return, though exactly how or when is far from clear. Hopefully, when he comes back, he won’t do anything terrible and upset too many fans.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly expanding, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Cinephiles who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that certain franchises stand out as fan favorites, chief among them being James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy. Some fans were bummed that Gamora and Star-Lord didn't get back together during Guardians 3's ending, and now Chris Pratt has weighed in with his thoughts.

Vol. 3 followed up with the motley group of cosmic heroes, including Zoë Saldaña, whose character Gamora was revived in Endgame thanks to some time travel by Thanos and his forces. This version of the character didn't have the memories of her previous Guardians adventures, including her romance with Peter Quill. While appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Pratt shared his thoughts about the pair not getting back together, saying:

Star-Lord has spoken. And it sounds like the Parks & Rec star was actually happy with how things shook out with Gamora and Peter. Namely because it presented more interesting storytelling options, rather than just seeing the two cosmic heroes happy together. But that's seemingly not what the majority of fans wanted.

The two Guardians of the Galaxy's romance made up one of the most beloved couples in the entirety of the MCU. That's what made her death in Infinity War so tragic, and why Star-Lord famously punched Thanos right when they were getting his Gauntlet off. Later in the same podcast appearance, Pratt went on to speak about how the former couple ended up, saying:

Points were made. The Gamora that appeared in both Endgame and Guardians 3 simply wasn't the same character that fans (and the rest of the team) knew and loved. She simply hadn't yet fallen in love with Peter, so their reunion didn't make a ton of sense. Instead, she was happy with her life as a Ravager, although she did share a sweet moment with Star-Lord during Vol. 3.

The end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 featured a title card that claimed Star-Lord would be back in upcoming Marvel movies, although when that'll be remains to be seen. For his part, Chris Pratt thinks that the lack of a Gamora reunion opened the door for more compelling stories for the character, saying:

I totally see this point. Peter might have never returned to Earth to reunite with his grandfather if he still had a happy relationship with Gamora in space. Let's just hope that his future in the shared universe becomes clear soon.

The next MCU movie hitting theaters is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list, and Chris Pratt's new movie Mercy is in theaters now.

One could split the career of Chris Pratt into three separate eras. His early years through the 00s was a hodgepodge mix of TV and movie including 89 episodes of the drama Everwood… but then things changed when he became a standout on Parks and Recreation and Hollywood started to really pay attention. Then, of course, came his current blockbuster period, which includes Marvel, Jurassic World, Super Mario and more.

A lot has changed for him in the last quarter century… so what was it like for a director who worked with him in that first era to work with him again now?

I posed a version of that question to filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov earlier this month during the virtual press day for his new movie Mercy – which sees the filmmaker working with Pratt for the first time since the actor played a supporting role in 2008’s Wanted. The director explained that his reunion with the star was a mix of both old and new, as he recognized the man that he knew, but also saw the impact of his current A-list status. Starting with a reference to one of the most memorable shots from their first collaboration, he told me,

Chris Pratt only had a small supporting part in Wanted (he plays the underhanded best friend of James McAvoy’s Wesley), and he had a lot of similarly scaled roles in movies around that time as he was waiting for his true big break. Now that he is a superstar, however, his life and world and very different and that was apparently something that was apparent on the Mercy set.

As noted, that recent success has been particularly driven by big IP projects, but Timur Bekmambetov wanted him to do something very different with their second movie together and pitched him on the timeliness of the material given the major ongoing discussions about the place of artificial intelligence in our world:

A vision of the year 2029, Mercy is a real time thriller that sees Chris Pratt star as a cop who has been charged with the murder of his wife and is forced to prove his innocence to a digital adjudicator (Rebecca Ferguson). Locked into a chair and given access to all available cameras, phones and computing devices he needs, the protagonist has to find some kind of substantial reasonable doubt in the span of 90 minutes, and if he fails to do so, he’ll be executed.

In addition to implementing tools like real-time and screenlife storytelling, Timur Bekmambetov addressed the full ambition of Mercy, which includes an IMAX experience unlike any other:

That experience is available to audiences now, as Mercy is now playing in theaters everywhere – having successfully defeated Avatar: Fire And Ash at the box office to become the first 2026 movie to hit number one in the Top 10.

Everyone wants to be Batman, even Chris Pratt. The actor admitted to reaching out to his old buddy, James Gunn, and pitching himself as the Caped Crusader for the upcoming Brave and the Bold in the funniest way possible. However, per usual, fans have some thoughts on the heroes that would be better fits for Pratt. And, quite frankly, some of those are pretty good ideas.

What Did Chris Pratt Say About Batman?

During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Pratt admitted that when Gunn was gearing up to shape DC’s new cinematic future with Chapter One: Gods & Monsters, he couldn’t resist having a little fun with the idea of playing The Dark Knight. Specifically, he photoshopped himself wearing the cowl and sent it directly to Gunn as an impromptu “pitch” for The Brave and the Bold.

According to the Parks & Rec alum, Gunn’s response was immediate and unmistakable. He explained:

That’s about as clear a no as you can get without actually saying no. At the same time, Pratt’s comments underscore his self-awareness of his screen persona. Batman requires a specific kind of intensity and emotional restraint, and the Jurassic World franchise lead has built his career on humor and on portraying very human vulnerability with charming charisma. However, even he seems to know that those instincts might clash with Gotham’s brooding billionaire. Still, how are fans reacting?

How Fans Are Reacting To Chris Pratt's Comments?

If Pratt were hoping the Batman conversation would die quietly, the comment section had other plans. Here are some of the best responses to Pratt’s Dark Knight ambitions:

• @gabriel.amaro.music: “I’d still love to see him as Batman tho.”
• @thejohnnyluu: “He could totally do it.”
• @filipellnunes: “You'd be a good Batman, but the one from '66 🤣🤣🤣🤣”
• @ferlarios: “Please don’t.”
• @nicky3nots: “Batman is kinda like James Bond! U gotta be a certain type of guy to pull it off! And as much as I love [Chris Pratt], I don't think he'd do him justice! Sorry, Chris, but I'd have to agree with [James Gunn] 😕”

However, the best part is how quickly fans started pivoting the Wanted alum into other DC roles that feel more naturally “Pratt-shaped." Check out their thoughts:

• @luisalbertogo5: “Batman nah, but Green Arrow would be cool for Chris.”
• @Itsrafts: “Booster Gold”
• @brentsmailbox: “Animal Man! Right!?”
• @danielvoelkl: “Honestly, I don’t think he would be a good Batman.”
• @misheard: “I want to see [Chris Pratt] do a villain.”
• @ofirassraf__: “Green lantern maybe?”
• @amine.kamel42: “Maybe you could play catman 😅😅”

The crowd is pretty split on Pratt as the Bat, but they do have some interesting ideas of who he could play in a new DCU movie, which got me thinking. If I had my way of things, who would I cast the Mercy star as?

My Take On Who Pratt Could Play In The DCU

I’m firmly in the “no Batman for Prattman, please” camp. That door doesn’t need opening. What stood out to me in this interview, though, was how relaxed Pratt sounded when talking about Star-Lord, specifically, how liberating it was to play a character without decades of live-action baggage. He tends to thrive in roles with room to stretch and surprise people.

So instead of forcing him into a hyper-defined icon, here are a few deep-cut superheroes that deserve more love and that the Star-Lord performer could actually do some interesting work:

• The Question (Vic Sage) – A faceless investigative journalist obsessed with uncovering hidden truths. This would push Pratt into quiet, paranoid, morally rigid territory—less charm, more intensity—a real departure.
• The Creeper (Jack Ryder) – A manic TV personality whose alter ego borders on terrifying chaos. Pratt could weaponize his comedic energy here, letting it spiral into something genuinely unsettling instead of safe.
• Adam Strange (The Burned-Out Version) – A former space hero struggling to live with who he used to be. This version plays directly into themes of relevance, regret, and identity—areas Pratt hasn’t fully explored yet.
• The Human Target (Christopher Chance) – A master of disguise who loses himself by becoming others. Cool, detached, and emotionally hollow. Pratt leaning into restraint instead of likability could be quietly devastating.
• Captain Atom – A god-level being treated like a government asset. Less “superhero power fantasy,” more existential frustration. Think grounded sci-fi tragedy rather than spectacle.
• Wildcat (Ted Grant) – An aging boxer-turned-vigilante mentoring younger heroes while reckoning with his own limits. Pratt playing someone past his prime would hit differently—and work.
• Shade the Changing Man – Psychedelic, emotionally fractured, and deeply weird. This is Gunn territory through and through, and Pratt could surprise people by going introspective and surreal instead of loud.

None of these roles asks Pratt to replace an already established and well-worn icon, but instead gives him the chance to inhabit a new one. And, if James Gunn’s DCU is really about character-first storytelling instead of brand preservation, this is precisely the lane where Pratt still has something new to offer.

For now, fans can catch up with Chris Pratt, who is not a DCU performer, in his new sci-fi thriller Mercy, which hit the 2026 movie calendar on January 23. Be sure to check your local listings for showtimes.

As Chris Pratt’s latest action movie, Mercy, comes out this weekend, it’s worth looking back on the role that changed his career the most, which was arguably Star-Lord in one of the best Marvel movies, Guardians of the Galaxy, back in 2013. The actor recalled a conversation he had with Marvel boss Kevin Feige right before earning the part, and he apparently had blunt words for him before offering him the job in James Gunn's movie.

Pratt was asked if he remembers the moment he got the role of Peter Quill while in conversation with Josh Horowitz this week. Here’s what the actor had to say:

Chris Pratt, of course, famously got into mad shape to play the Marvel role, and apparently that was a deciding factor for Kevin Feige when he was in the running. As he continued:

Surely, this enthusiastic line went far with Feige, considering the results. At the time, Chris Pratt had gotten into shape for roles before. He’s previously talked about how he was told he was “too fat” for 2011’s Moneyball and ended up shedding 30 pounds to be in the movie starring Brad Pitt. Then, he gained weight again for the high school reunion comedy 10 Years before going on a strict fitness routine to play a Navy SEAL in 2012’s Zero Dark Thirty. Committing to the work required to drop weight isn't easy, but I love that he was up for it to play Star-Lord.

Pratt credits his brother Daniel for convincing him to post the picture of himself in his underwear from his time on Zero Dark Thirty. It ultimately very much came in handy because this happened next:

Hey, sometimes shirtless photos can literally earn you a role in a Marvel movie! The rest is history. According to Men’s Journal, Chris Pratt went on to lose 60 pounds in six months thanks to “three or four hours a day of just consistent, ass-kicking hard work.”

He was able to do so with the help of a personal trainer and nutritionist who had him doing everything from P90X, running, swimming, boxing, kickboxing, and a triathlon, eating 4,000 calories a day and drinking so much water he was “peeing all day long.”

Of course, it wasn’t purely Chris Pratt’s ability to lose weight and gain muscle that turned him into a Marvel superhero. Per the actor, it was his improv talent, particularly with Dave Bautista, that convinced writer/director James Gunn. At first, Gunn didn’t even want to see Pratt’s audition, but the casting director snuck him into an unplanned audition, and following multiple rounds, he got the role.

At the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Star-Lord’s return to the MCU was teased, but we have yet to learn which of the upcoming Marvel movies the actor will make an appearance in. For now, you can catch Chris Pratt in Mercy, now playing in theaters.

A group of friends and I used to get together to watch the worst movies we could find and try to find something to enjoy. It wasn’t mean-spirited, but instead a way for us to blow off some steam and make each other laugh. I thought about those guys when I saw Mercy shortly before it premiered on the 2026 movie schedule, because our little movie crew would have gone bonkers for this new Chris Pratt movie.

While Mercy, which follows Pratt’s character as he attempts to prove to an AI-operated court that he didn’t murder his wife, is an objectively bad movie (we gave it a 1.5/5 review), there is one way I think you can enjoy it. It’s going to require a group of friends, a movie theater, an open mind, and the ability to laugh at absurd moments and tropes, so hear me out!

This Is One Of Those ‘Better Watch With A Group Of Friends’ Experiences

For the most part, press screenings are quiet, low-energy affairs where everyone is dialed into the movie for reviews, analysis, and personal enjoyment. No one talks, no one gets up, and it’s just two hours of darkness. Well, that wasn’t the case for Mercy, as everyone was laughing (both intentionally and unintentionally), making comments, and generally having a good time, even if the movie was a certified stinker.

If I had that much fun with a dozen or so professionals, I can only imagine how wild it would have been to see this with a group of rowdy friends with a soft spot for bad movies. The line delivery, the overacting, those scenes with that ridiculous helicopter/drone motorcycle-thing that Kali Reis’ character flies around on, I would love to see how my buddies back home would react.

I’m not saying the experience would make Mercy a better movie, but I am saying going in with the right crowd who have the right attitude would make this like a combination of Minority Report and The Room.

This Is Like 2025’s War Of The Worlds, But On A Big Screen

When I was watching Mercy, and even on the drive home, I kept drawing comparisons to Amazon’s War of the Worlds, one of the worst movies I watched last year. Both have ties to Amazon, both feature characters largely by themselves looking at screens for much of the runtime, and both have a certain level of camp (I’m not sure if this was intentional or not).

However, the big difference is that Mercy is in on the big screen (it was shot in IMAX and is available in 3D for some reason). Instead of watching a movie on my laptop alone in my basement, I was able to watch this with other living souls and could feed off their reactions. You could totally wait and watch this alone when it eventually starts streaming with an Amazon subscription, but you’d be missing out on the best part of this movie and probably end up being sad.

All of that being said, I don’t think Mercy is a good movie (it’s quite bad, actually), but I do think it makes for a fun and entertaining theater experience. Just make sure you go with people who are also into that type of thing.

Since the first movie released back in 1993, the Jurassic Park movies have been a vital part of the pop culture landscape. Just last year the franchise expanded with Jurassic World Rebirth, which is streaming with a Peacock subscription. This project had the potential to kickstart a new set of movies after Dominion's ending, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey. But would Chris Pratt return as Owen Grady in a future sequel? Here's what the actor said.

Pratt has been busy with plenty of franchise work lately, including his tenure as Star-Lord in the MCU (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription). Some fans want to see him onscreen with fellow Marvel star ScarJo in a Jurassic World movie, and while appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he was directly asked if he'd be interested in a fourth dino-centric movie. The actor responded, saying:

Do you hear that sound? It's Jurassic fans everywhere collectively cheering. It would be epic seeing Pratt and Johansson crossover for another installment of the beloved franchise, and it sounds like the Parks & Rec alum is open to reprising his role as Owen. He just would want to make sure that the story properly honors his work on his trilogy of movies. Sounds pretty reasonable to me.

Jurassic World was one of the ways Pratt transformed into a Hollywood leading man, and he remains a bankable action star to this day. While Dominion saw him work alongside the OG trio of Jurassic Park stars, there are plenty of moviegoers who want to see him share the screen with Scarlett Johansson in a sequel to Rebirth.

Jurassic World Rebirth did well at the box office, and ended up being the sixth highest grossing movie of 2025. Add in the fact that it stars a trio of outstanding actors including Sexiest Man Alive Jonathan Bailey, and it seems like a no-brainer that Universal would continue the franchise with a sequel. Although the studio hasn't officially greenlit another installment at the time of writing this story.

With the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise in the rear view, Chris Pratt's schedule might be more flexible for another Jurassic World movie. Because while the end of Guardians 3 claimed that Star-Lord would be back for upcoming Marvel movies, there's been no indication as to when this might happen. Unfortunately, he wasn't included in the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement.

All four of the Jurassic World movies are streaming on Peacock. As for Pratt, his new movie Mercy is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release list.

Artificial intelligence has always been a ripe subject to stage a movie around, and it’s never been more relevant than right now. One upcoming 2026 movie Mercy introduces an interesting premise, when a detective accused of murdering his wife has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an advanced A.I. before it decides his fate. Critics have seen the sci-fi action thriller, and they’re saying it felt like they were the ones being held captive.

Chris Pratt plays Chris Raven, the accused detective, and he’s joined by Rebecca Ferguson as the A.I. Judge Maddox — Raven's judge, jury and potential executioner. In CinemaBlend’s review of Mercy, Eric Eisenberg says the plot “doesn’t make a lick of goddamn sense,” and without that foundation, the film can’t produce anything insightful or even fun. He rates the movie 1.5 stars out of 5, writing:

Artificial intelligence? More like “artificial stupidity,” according to the Daily Beast’s Nick Schager. The critic is declaring Mercy the “worst movie of 2026,” which is a bold statement to make in mid-January. But watching people watch screens is boring, and the mystery plays out with a frustrating half-heartedness, Schager says, continuing:

Siddhant Adlakha of IGN gives the movie a “Bad” 4 out of 10, saying it squanders its good ideas. It’s also rough to adjust your eyes to all of the different windows popping up in different planes of focus, the critic writes — especially if you see the film in 3D. Adlakha says of Mercy:

Frank Scheck of THR says that with Chris Pratt strapped to a chair for most of the movie, Mercy is about as fun as watching 90 minutes of surveillance footage. So many low-res videos make a car chase scene near the end a welcome sight, Scheck says, and audiences will definitely be left in need of a digital detox. As for the leads’ performances, Pratt is hampered by his character’s circumstances, as the critic writes:

It’s not all bad, though. Eli Friedberg of Slant gives the upcoming action flick 2.5 stars out of 4, saying Mercy poses interesting questions about privacy, policing and (of course) artificial intelligence, all while capturing the familiar anxiety of doomscrolling. Friedberg posits:

Critics as a whole don’t seem to be buying into the screenlife sci-fi thriller, with the movie earning just 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, if this plot seems intriguing to you, or you never miss a chance to see Chris Pratt on the big screen — no matter how sedentary he may be — you can catch Mercy in theaters starting Friday, January 23. (Also, don’t miss that Parks and Recreation cameo!)

There’s no shortage of Marvel crossover ideas floating around the internet, especially with the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the Russo Brothers' Avengers: Doomsday soon to hit the 2026 movie schedule, but every once in a while, one actually makes you stop and say, “Yeah… that would work.” On that note, Chris Pratt just shared which character he’d like to see Quill cross paths with in a new Marvel movie, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with his pick.

Speaking to Screen Rant while promoting his new sci-fi thriller Mercy, Chris Pratt was asked about potential Marvel crossovers now that the studio has access to characters previously locked behind other studios. As he put it:

A Star-Lord and Deadpool crossover feels almost too obvious on a tonal level. Pratt’s Peter Quill has always lived in that sweet spot between sincere emotional beats and pop-culture-fueled chaos. Deadpool, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, thrives on breaking the fourth wall and undercutting tension. Put them together, and you’d get a collision of humor styles that could be complementary.

What makes Pratt’s comments especially interesting is the timing. Star-Lord was last seen in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which wrapped up James Gunn’s trilogy while reshuffling the team and sending Quill back to Earth. The film’s end credits explicitly promised that “The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return,” but Marvel has stayed quiet about when or where that might happen.

Most speculation points toward Quill's return in the two-part Avengers event currently on the horizon, which includes Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. That said, neither Star-Lord nor Deadpool has been officially confirmed for Doomsday, and rumors about Reynolds’ involvement remain conflicting.

Pratt mentioned wanting to be part of the process, even as a “fly on the wall.” That suggests genuine curiosity about how Marvel could balance Deadpool’s irreverent tone with the larger MCU machine, something fans have been debating since the merger became official. There is also the question of whether or not, with the restraint of a PG-13 rating, the character can thrive because, as of now, he's only ever appeared in R-rated territory.

Will it actually happen? That’s still very much up in the air. But if Avengers: Secret Wars truly is positioned as a multiversal blowout and soft reset, there may not be a better time to let Star-Lord and Deadpool cross paths.

Until Marvel confirms anything, it’s all hypothetical. But if Pratt ever gets his wish, I’ll be first in line to watch that chaos unfold. For now, I'll settle for rewatching all the Marvel movies in order with my Disney+ subscription.

MILD SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains super light spoilers for Timur Bekmambetov’s Mercy. If you have not yet seen the film and want to go into it knowing absolutely nothing, proceed with caution!

With Timur Bekmambetov’s Mercy being a semi-screenlife film, one of the storytelling tools at its disposal is news broadcasts – and those who have been following the career of star Chris Pratt since before his Guardians of the Galaxy days will be surprised to see the clips feature a familiar face. Playing one of the anchors is none other than actor Jay Jackson, who is best known for his role as Perd Hapley on the beloved sitcom Parks And Recreation. For fans of the show, it’s a wonderful bonus in the experience of watching the new 2026 movie, and what makes it even better is knowing that the casting was Pratt’s idea.

Being one of those aforementioned fans of the show, I felt compelled to ask about Jackson’s role in Mercy when I had the chance to interview Pratt and co-star Kali Reis last week during the virtual press day for the film. The production actually sees the Marvel/Jurassic World star reunite with a few people from his past, but in the case of his “reunion” with the legendary Perd Hapley (they don’t actually share any scenes), he took credit for the awesome idea personally:

For those who don’t recall (how could you forget?!), Perd Hapley is a television personality in the small town of Pawnee, Indiana on Parks and Recreation, and he is best known for… not being the brightest bulb in the chandelier. He has a tendency to take everything literally, never alters his emotional demeanor, and can be oddly blunt. He’s a side character, but he is responsible for a number of the show’s greatest moments.

Prior to being an actor, Jay Jackson was a reporter for years in Los Angeles, and he has carved out a niche for himself playing anchors and television reporters. This run began in 2007 in a Season 2 episode of Dexter, and his resume includes everything from shows like It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, The Orville, and Supergirl to movies like Fast Five and Battleship. It’s been more than a decade since the finale of Parks And Rec, but anyone who loves the show will get a kick out of Perd Hapley and Andy Dwyer being connected across the multiverse.

As noted above, however, Chris Pratt and Jay Jackson isn’t the only reunion featured in Mercy: playing a key role in the movie is Chris Sullivan, whom Marvel fans may know from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as Taserface, and the project marks the first time that the blockbuster star has worked with Timur Bekmambetov since 2008’s Wanted.

Regarding the former, Pratt delivered high praise for his co-star, noting that Sullivan probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because of the amount of makeup that he wore for the role. Said the actor,

As for his reunion with the director, after nearly two decades, Pratt credits the purity of a positive working relationship. A lot has obviously changed for the actor since he played a small supporting role opposite James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie in Wanted, but fond memories of collaborating with Bekmambetov helped fuel his interest in making the new film. He concluded,

Frankly, that’s a lesson we could all put to use in our lives.

Also starring Rebecca Ferguson, Annabelle Wallis, Kenneth Choi, and Kylie Rogers, Mercy arrives in theaters this weekend.

Having incidentally rewatched Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report within the last month, I can write with refreshed enthusiasm that it’s a tremendous science-fiction vision and a title that stands among the best in the director’s storied filmography. An adaptation of a work by one of history’s greatest genre visionaries, it is smart, thrilling and dramatic in its exploration of its premise, which sees an evolution in the American legal system begin thanks to visions from a trio of mutants with the ability to see the future.

In the 2002 film, the plot makes sense: the discovery of the so-called precogs changes how humanity comprehends fate, and society attempts to evolve with the development of a precrime police division that stops and arrests murderers before they kill. It’s assumed to be a flawless program… until it’s proven to be both flawed and manipulable, imperiling the life of the story’s principal character.

I make a point of describing this 23-year-old blockbuster because it’s so clearly what director Timur Bekmambetov’s Mercy wants to be. Based on an original screenplay by Marco van Belle, the new film attempts to draw a straight line between the precogs and modern artificial intelligence by imagining a world with a new legal procedure that has the ballyhooed technology at its core, and it centers on a protagonist who is a proponent of the system up until he becomes a victim of it. The problem? The idea doesn’t make a lick of goddamn sense, and because it’s everything that the movie hinges on, it renders the entire cinematic experience a baffling disaster.

The film tries to comment on the dangers of A.I. while unfolding in real time and executing a new take on screenlife storytelling – which is an admirable effort from a creative standpoint – but its foundation is a train wreck, and it makes it impossible for the movie to actually be something interesting, insightful or even fun. It gets some points for being flashy and bold, but it’s also most certainly suited for its January release date and seems destined to become an early 2026 punchline.

Chris Pratt stars as Chris Raven (yup, that’s his actual name), a Los Angeles police officer who wakes up to discover that he has been locked into a chair and is sitting before a digital adjudicator named Judge Maddox (Rebecca Ferguson). He has been selected as the nineteenth individual to stand accused in the Mercy Court – which is particularly significant given that he is famous for arresting the first person who went before the A.I. bench a couple years prior.

Deemed guilty until proven innocent within the new system, Chris is told that there is a calculated 97.5 percent chance that he stabbed and killed his wife (Annabelle Wallis) during a domestic dispute earlier in the day, and the onus is on him to reduce that surety level to at least 92 percent within 90 minutes – at which time he will be executed for the crime. To help him in his defense, the protagonist is given access to every phone, computer and camera in the city to hunt for any new information or suspects that could ultimately exonerate him.

Simply put, this movie makes no sense.

Mercy fancies itself as a kind of cautionary tale given the extreme investment that our world has been put into artificial intelligence (the movie is boldly set in the near future of 2029), but any point it tries to make about the potential danger of trusting A.I. in the legal system is undermined by the nonsense that is the execution. Having the accused sitting in front of a digital judge assessing likelihood of guilt is an interesting idea, but the actual case needs a depth that simply isn’t present, and that flaw eats away at the setup with each new plot development.

Chris is deemed preemptively guilty because he was caught on a doorbell camera fighting with his wife just prior to her time of death and was found in the aftermath black-out drunk at a bar. This is deemed more than enough evidence to see the man delivered the death penalty… until Chris is able to deploy his secret weapon: totally basic police work in the near-immediate aftermath of a crime! The protagonist’s progress toward exoneration sees him searching for others via digital footprint with the magic combo of motive and opportunity, and while I won’t spoil the various developments that unfold as he searches for the truth, the revelations are so textbook that one is left constantly more baffled by the computer’s extreme confidence.

On the one hand, the film does illustrate that computers could do a really bad job judging crimes, but it does so with elementary school-level concepts, and without the complexity in plotting that would be necessary to make its point, Mercy feels like it just gets dumber and dumber as it goes.

Mercy tries new things with screenlife filmmaking, but they don’t quite work as they should.

As far as style is concerned, I consider myself genuinely curious about the screenlife aesthetic (with notable titles including Open Windows, the Unfriended movies and the Missing and Searching duology). Mercy, however, can be described as a kind of hybrid, and it’s unable to quite click into what makes the movie in the format work – which is reflecting the way that people navigate the digital world in a familiar way. On the one hand, it’s interesting to see Chris bounce around modern communication methods to search for the truth behind what happened to his wife, but the science-fiction circumstances don’t allow the same kind of familiarity that makes the medium fun and special. Additionally, it has its own way of undermining the plot: if all of the evidence needed to exonerate Chris or at least generate acceptable reasonable doubt is discoverable via data, how is it that the artificial intelligence deems him guilty?

Ultimately, Mercy is a gimmick movie – the gimmicks being the new angle on screenlife filmmaking and the real-time storytelling – and I have no inherent problem with that, as there are plenty of solid features in cinematic history that hinge on unique approaches. The problem here is that those gimmicks are put on top of a rotten foundation, and that means that the work gets more and more broken as it continues to build. Save for you being abducted, locked into a chair and forced to watch it, it’s most definitely a film to skip.

Chris Pratt knows exactly what he’s doing when he slips into new action movie mode. Sometimes that means dialing things back, while other times, it means deliberately putting himself at a disadvantage. In his 2026 movie schedule release for the upcoming sci-fi thriller Mercy, the Parks & Recs alum made a very specific choice that longtime action fans will immediately recognize as a clear nod to Die Hard. It’s a clever homage, but it also came with some consequences.

Pratt discussed the Bruce Willis inspiration and the fallout during a recent interview with Extra, in a YouTube clip featuring both him and his Mercy co-star Rebecca Ferguson. While promoting the film, the Guardians of the Galaxy star explained that going barefoot in the flick was an intentional choice, designed to mirror Willis as John McClane decades earlier. He explained:

That sense of exposure fits the story Mercy is trying to tell. The film centers on Pratt as a detective on trial for the murder of his wife, forced to prove his innocence to an advanced AI judge played by Ferguson. It’s a high-pressure setup where control is constantly being stripped away, both physically and psychologically. Removing shoes might seem small, but on screen, it immediately raises the stakes.

Of course, action scenes don’t happen in a vacuum, and the Super Mario Bros. voice star was quick to emphasize that safety was still a priority. Like any major production, Mercy had a full stunt team and extensive rehearsals to make sure the choreography worked before cameras rolled. He continued:

Even with that preparation, things can still go sideways. On one of the early days of filming, the Jurassic World franchise star took a hard tackle into a wall, resulting in an injury. The chubby sidekick turned leading man added:

There’s something fitting about the situation. Die Hard endures because John McClane is always paying a price. He bleeds, limps, and earns every inch he gains. Pratt’s homage taps into that same 80s action-movie-hero philosophy, even if it went a bit further than intended and resulted in a real-world injury. Fortunately, the timing worked in his favor, as much of the following weeks of filming had him seated and strapped to a chair.

The difference, of course, is that movie injuries vanish once the credits roll. Real ones linger. Still, Pratt seems comfortable with the trade-off. The reference landed, the scene gained extra tension, and Mercy ultimately benefited from the added vulnerability.

Mercy opens in theaters January 23, so be sure to check your local listings for show times.

It can be easy to forget that Chris Pratt first connected with audiences as Andy Dwyer, the well-meaning, slightly out-of-shape goofball on NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Long before the superhero workouts and franchise stardom that came with Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014, the Electric State actor was carving out a very different kind of on-screen identity. Now, in a wide-ranging conversation, he’s looking back on the moment he realized that gaining weight actually helped him understand where he belonged as a performer, along with why being related to Arnold Schwarzenegger has turned out to be a major plus.

In an interview with The Irish Times, Pratt recalled noticing one year that the number on the scale was creeping up. Rather than seeing it as a problem, he realized something surprising had happened at the same time. As he explained:

Looking back on his time on Parks and Recreation, Pratt remembers the moment he realized his weight gain was actually working in his favor. After noticing he was packing on the pounds, the Super Mario Bros. Movie voice actor decided to lean into it because it coincided with what he felt was the funniest he’d ever been. That realization pushed him toward a stretch of trying to gain more weight and deliberately selecting messy, sweaty sidekick roles. The work was consistent, the paychecks were steady, and for a while, he assumed that might be where his career topped out.

Pratt also spoke candidly about his personal life, especially the role his father-in-law, Arnold Schwarzenegger, plays behind the scenes. He describes having the Terminator franchise star in his life as a genuine blessing, as it brings a level of perspective from someone who’s lived at the highest level of fame and scrutiny. Pratt continued:

There are things, the Jurassic World veteran performer admits, that he can’t fully unpack with people he grew up with or even close family members, because they don’t have the frame of reference. But the former Mr. Universe has been through fame, scrutiny, political power, and public fallout at a level few people ever experience. He continued:

That steady perspective from his father-in-law may be part of what’s helped Pratt remain in the leading-man mix after once believing he might never get there. What comes next is still an open question, including whether his path eventually leads back to new Marvel movies. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 left the door open for Peter Quill’s return, and while the Tomorrow War actor hasn’t made any promises, he hasn’t ruled it out either. For now, fans are left waiting to see if Star-Lord resurfaces somewhere in the larger MCU, possibly even in a surprise appearance in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

In the meantime, Pratt’s schedule is anything but quiet. His 2026 calendar lineup includes Mercy, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and the return of The Terminal List for its second season, which is expected to debut in mid to late 2026 for those with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

There are more than a few established Marvel Cinematic Universe characters that haven’t appeared on screen in a few years now, and one of them is Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill. The legendary Star-Lord was last seen in 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which ended with him taking some time away from the eponymous team. Inquiring minds are curious as to what Quill has been up to as of late. Pratt fielded that question, and I wasn’t expecting him to provide such a funny answer.

Chris Pratt Shares A Humorous Take On Star-Lord’s Whereabouts

At the end of Guardians Vol. 3, not only does Quill decide to take a leave of absence from his team, but he also makes his way to Earth. It’s on his native planet that Peter reunites with his grandfather, Jason, in Missouri and decides to spend some time with him. Based on the post-credits scene, which saw the two Quills sitting at the breakfast table and discussing their neighbors, it seemed Peter was keeping a low profile. As Pratt opined to ScreenTime, though (as seen on X), the space adventurer is doing a bit more than that:

I can’t help but laugh over Pratt re-opening what’s arguably become one of the biggest discussions regarding MCU lore. During the events of 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, Quill, Tony Stark, Stephen Strange, Peter Parker and other members of the Guardians had Thanos subdued and were about to remove the Infinity Gauntlet from his hand. However, Quill lost his composure after learning of Gamora’s death, allowing the Mad Titan to break free. Even directors Joe and Anthony Russo cast blame on Star-Lord.

Of course, the universe was ultimately saved, but Tony Stark died in the process. I can’t help but laugh over the notion of Quill trying to convince the people of Earth that he’s not only not responsible for Stark’s death but that he’s been a superhero as well. Chris Pratt also thinks there’s one another on-brand activity Quill’s been busy with:

Given Quill’s supreme love of music, I could easily imagine him listening to a plethora of songs that are new to him. He might be listening to some contemporary tunes by the next time fans see him but, then again, his next MCU appearance is still far from confirmed.

What Does The Future Actually Hold For Star-Lord?

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription – ends with a title card, which promises that Star-Lord will return. Since it’s been nearly three years since the film was released and there’s still been no clarification, fans are curious about if or when they’ll see Quill again. By July 2024, Pratt was playing coy about returning as Quill, though he expressed a willingness to play the character again.

Some fans are still holding onto hope that Quill will return alongside his fellow heroes in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. That film will see Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Fantastic Four and more take on Doctor Doom. It’s hard to say whether Chris Pratt will reprise his role in either that movie or in its follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars, but it feels like there’s at least a chance. In the meantime, whatever Quill is doing ahead of any potential return, let’s hope he’s not being a nuisance while on Earth.

Chris Pratt finds himself in a truly unique position, as his father-in-law is none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Of course, Pratt is married to Schwarzenegger’s daughter, Katherine, with whom he shares three children. The Guardians of the Galaxy star is known for sharing the occasional funny anecdote or two about his father-in-law, and one of his most recent stories is just kooky. Pratt revealed he received a very outrageous Christmas gift from Arnold last year, and his take on it has me cracking up.

It would seem that Arnold Schwarzenegger loves giving gifts, as Chris Pratt explained during a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show (as shared on YouTube). As Pratt put it, the Terminator icon “just goes all out” when getting presents for those he cares about. He must really love his son-in-law because, as Pratt explained, Schwarzenegger gave him a massive portrait this past holiday season. That may sound wild enough, but the image the portrait depicts is what truly takes the cake (or cookie, in this case):

Well, that’s certainly far from a run-of-the-mill stocking stuffer, I must say. It’s such a specific gift, too, and I can’t help but chuckle over the notion of that hanging in the Pratt/Schwarzenegger household. Speaking of hanging that up, Pratt – who also shares son Jack with ex-wife Anna Faris – had a funny take on whether such a portrait could actually stay up all year round:

Fellow Graham Norton guest Dawn French humorously pointed out that such a present can’t be re-gifted and, even if it could be, I doubt Chris Pratt would give it up. After all, this is the same man who was so intimidated by his father-in-law that he risked asthma attacks by smoking cigars given to him by Schwarzenegger. Still, the father and son-in-law seem to have a firm relationship, as Pratt has even talked about learning from Schwarzenegger in certain respects. And, as revealed in the video, Pratt received another gift, too:

What’s particularly ironic about this entire situation is that Arnold Schwarzenegger may be playing St. Nick in an upcoming holiday movie, The Man With the Bag. Schwarzenegger’s exact role in the film has yet to be confirmed, though what is known is that he’ll be starring alongside Alan Ritchson. Should Schwarzenegger don the red-and-white suit, his portrait could end up serving as a fun precursor to his newest yuletide flick.

I’m incredibly curious as to what Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger (who roasts her hubby from time to time) will do with Arnold’s portrait for the bulk of the year. It goes without saying that the portrait sounds quite grandiose, but let it never be said that the former governor of California doesn’t put thought into his presents.

The New Year is officially here, and there are plenty of folks out there who have begun their resolutions. For many that includes getting more fit, with actors like Dwayne Johnson already hitting the gym hard. Chris Pratt, however, has already broken his fitness goals, and honestly it's making the hulking actor feel all the more relatable.

Fans who have watched the Marvel movies in order will recall how Pratt got ripped to play Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription). He's maintained that through the years, although the 46 year-old actor took to Instagram to share that he had already skipped a day at the gym. He went on stories, sharing:

Honestly, same. Staying fit is a goal for many of us, but actually getting motivated enough to make it happen is another struggle. And while some folks are still recovering from the New Year's festivities, it can be hard to start the year off right. That even includes Chris Pratt, who has made exercise a big part of his life over the past decade.

Plenty of celebrities have gotten ripped for their superhero roles, including Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, and Ben Affleck. Pratt has maintained that fitness, but admits that sometimes he fails to get a workout in as intended. He went to to share:

Chris Pratt got real about this struggle with his whopping 44.3 million followers on Instagram. He admitted that he's not perfect, despite how he might look on he big screen as Peter Quill. And just like the rest of us, sometimes it's just about motivation and time management.

In the same set of IG story posts, the star of Parks & Rec (which is streaming with a Peacock subscription), got realistic about how things are going at the gym in 2026 so far. In his words:

Suddenly I'm feeling inspired to hit the gym. Because any laziness I'm feeling isn't unique to me; even ripped celebs like Pratt can fall short. But that doesn't mean it's not worth trying, and getting back on the horse when one falls short. If Star-Lord can do it, so can I!

Chris Pratt has a number of upcoming projects heading to theaters on the 2026 movie release list and beyond, although fans are left wondering if he'll appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. If he does, smart money says he'll be looking jacked as Peter Quill.

It’s not every day a Hollywood blockbuster makes cinematic history, not just at the box office, but in the way it absolutely goes for it on screen. When Jurassic World roared into theaters in 2015, it gave audiences one of the most unexpectedly brutal death scenes in modern blockbuster and Jurassic series history. This is the wild story of how the sequence came to be and how the actress played a hand in one of the franchise's most unforgettable exits.

More than a decade later, the internet still hasn’t let go of this brutal on-screen death, likely because we can revisit it over and over with a Peacock subscription. The scene in question? Zara Young’s mid-air dino juggling act turned Mosasaurus snack attack. The conversation flared back up when X (formerly Twitter) user @DynamoSuperX posted a clip of the Jurassic character's death, with the caption:

From there, it snowballed. Another post by @americanrequiem added fuel to the fire by sharing a clip from behind the scenes. If you watch it below, you can hear the actress Katie McGrath talk about the gruesome moment about to take place, and she sounds pumped.

The sequence, if you’ve somehow avoided it, shows McGrath’s character being scooped up by Pteranodon, dropped into the maws of another, screaming mid-air before the gigantic Mosasaurus devours her—essentially the dinosaur death equivalent of a Final Destination Rube Goldberg machine death. The scene is as brutal as it is bizarrely elaborate, and it left a lot of people wondering: Why this character, and why that death? The real answer is that Katie McGrath asked for it.

Katie McGrath Demanded A Memorable Death

McGrath, best known for her TV roles as Morgana in Merlin and Lena Luthor on Supergirl, had just landed her first big studio blockbuster role when she joined the cast of Jurassic World as Zara Young, Claire Dearing’s high-strung personal assistant. Her screen time was limited, but McGrath made it count by requesting a memorable death that would leave an impression. Director Colin Trevorrow was entirely on board.

As he mentioned to UPROXX in 2016, he wanted Zara’s demise to be shocking, calling it an “unearned death,” one where a seemingly safe, undeserving character is killed brutally to throw the audience off balance.

What we got was a full-blown dino attack that is more gruesome than some of the deaths in the best horror movies I've seen. And here’s the twist: McGrath did every part of it herself. She was strapped into a harness, hoisted into the air, dropped into a massive water tank, and filmed as she thrashed underwater. In the behind-the-scenes footage above, McGrath joked about the torment they were putting her through, but it was all very intense.

Others behind the scenes reveal she's got no wire on her at first, but that stunt people had to come and add the wires mid-scene so she could get "flung" into the air. Scary.

The Scene's Over-the-Top Legacy

McGrath’s death scene instantly stood out in a movie packed with dinosaur carnage. It was the first time in the franchise a female character was killed on-screen, and it remains arguably the most brutal. Even Jurassic Park Original cast member and legend Sam Neill weighed in during a press junket, asking with a smirk:

Critics and fans remain split on the scene to this day. Some found it unnecessarily mean-spirited, even calling it “deeply unsettling” (Birth.Movies.Death), while others hailed it as one of the most memorable kills in the franchise. Whether you loved it or hated it, there’s no denying its impact. Zara’s death has been the subject of conversation for more than a decade. And all because Katie McGrath wanted to make a splash, and that, she did—literally! The actress made history as the first on-screen death of a female character in a Jurassic movie. Pretty cool.

You can relive Zara’s dino-fueled demise in Jurassic World, and do it more cheaply, with these Black Friday streaming deals.

Spoilers for The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’s finale are ahead! If you haven’t seen it, you can stream it with an Amazon Prime subscription.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf quite literally ended its run on the 2025 TV schedule with a bang. In the final episode of the show’s first season, Taylor Kitsch’s character detonated a bunch of bombs and set a house and a lot of people up in flames. It was epic, and looked pretty practical, so I had to ask Kitsch and Chris Pratt about it.

So, here’s the context: toward the start of the Dark Wolf finale, Ben is alone. He no longer has his team with him; they fully know Jed Haverford is a traitor, and he’s in a rural house setting up a trap for the people who are trying to stop him. As the countdown begins, Ben runs upstairs and watches a convoy approach, and almost immediately, one of the cars explodes. There are more explosions after that, making for an epic action scene. Kitsch also told me their team loved putting it together, as he said:

As a massive team of adversaries shot up the house Ben was in, he ran downstairs to connect wires that ultimately led to the big bomb in the basement. He then used a tunnel to escape and get out of the house, before setting off barrels and barrels of explosives. It was a lot of bombs, and the entire house blew up.

According to Chris Pratt and Taylor Kitsch, when you film in Budapest, you can really pull off moments like that, as they joked back and forth:

• Chris Pratt: Listen, if you have to do movies with lots of bombs, do it in Budapest.
• Taylor Kitsch: Yeah, true.
• Chris Pratt: They’re like, ‘We added a little extra TNT.’

They certainly added the extra TNT, and the insanely explosive practical effects are one of many reasons why Dark Wolf is so good.

This really is a moment where Ben has to go big or go home, and they took that seriously and literally, as they blew up a home amid a massive shootout. It was epic and massive, and the Friday Night Lights star was here for it, as he said:

He finished his thought by saying he “loved” that moment, and so did I. I thought it was a great set piece to lead the finale with, as it showed Ben as this lone wolf, fearlessly taking on a small army of men by himself.

However, it also showed off the power of the brotherhood he was in, because his former teammates showed up to help him succeed and make it out of this situation alive.

Overall, this season was packed with intense moments (like this one and that torture scene) that told the origin story of Ben Edwards, and it ultimately helped me understand how he got to the point he’s in in The Terminal List. It was intense and explosive, both literally and figuratively, and now I can’t wait to see how the major events of Dark Wolf impact Terminal List Season 2.

Minor spoilers for The Terminal List and The Terminal List: Dark Wolf are ahead! Read with caution and stay up to date with both shows by streaming them with an Amazon Prime subscription.

As The Terminal List: Dark Wolf moves through its run on the 2025 TV schedule, I’ve found a new reason to be happy that this Terminal List spinoff happened. From the jump, I was thrilled we’d get Ben Edwards' backstory that explained why he did what he did at the end of the OG series. However, as Chris Pratt told me, it’s also great because it’s introducing us to history that will be important in Terminal List Season 2.

When Terminal List got renewed, the Taylor Kitsch-led spinoff was announced, too. Now, as Dark Wolf airs, we’re getting to know some beloved characters from Jack Carr’s novels, who will presumably be featured in Season 2 of the OG show, which is a book-to-screen adaptation of True Believer. During an interview with CinemaBlend, Chris Pratt told me that we need to pay attention to said characters, because we’ll see them again:

While we know Ben Edwards’ fate at the end of The Terminal List, we don’t know where Mo, Raife and Landry are. They aren’t in Season 1. However, since Season 2 will follow True Believer, we know they’ll be in the new episodes of the series all about Pratt’s character James Reece.

As I discussed why it was important to pay attention to these characters in Dark Wolf with the Parks and Rec star, he also noted that we should be thinking about the timing of both shows. The Taylor Kitsch-led prequel series takes place seven years before the events of Season 1, and a lot can change in that time, as Pratt explained:

When we meet Mo, Raife and Landry, specifically, they’re all leaving the SEALs with Taylor Kitsch’s Ben Edwards. Meanwhile, Pratt’s Reece stayed in the teams. We’ve already seen this experience working as CIA operatives change these characters – I mean, Tom Hopper’s Hastings tortured a man in Episode 5 of Dark Wolf, which marked a major turning point for his character.

That happened not long after they left the teams, so think about how a decade of questionable and morally grey work will change these characters. With that in mind, Kitsch kind of teased that too during our interview, as he said:

• Taylor Kitsch: Arguably, you're gonna witness one of the craziest character arcs I've ever seen.
• Chris Pratt: 100%.

Well, that sounds exciting! Thankfully, we shouldn’t have to wait long to find out what they’re talking about. That’s because, as Dark Wolf airs, Terminal List Season 2 is in the works and will hopefully be available to stream on Amazon Prime sooner rather than later.

Glen Powell is one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood, although he doesn’t live there. It’s a status he has recently achieved after years of working hard to reach this point. While his own work should certainly be applauded for that, there are other people who he gives some of the credit for his success, specifically, and surprisingly, Chris Pratt.

Glan Powell looks like the textbook definition of a Hollywood movie star and a leading man, so it’s perhaps a bit of a shock that it took this long to make a name for himself. Speaking with GQ, Powell himself says that his own success came as part of a shift in Hollywood’s thinking, which is best exemplified by the success Chris Pratt saw after being cast in Guardians of the Galaxy. Powell said…

Actors are capable of a wide range of performances, but they certainly have areas where they are most comfortable and most capable. Powell seems to feel that prior to Guardians of the Galaxy, studios were looking for more serious actors, performances with, as Powell says, “gravitas.” It’s not a word one would use to describe Chris Pratt's Guardians of the Galaxy performance.

Glen Powell is certainly right to a degree. Following Guardians, Chris Pratt himself saw his career explode, with additional franchise roles in the Jurassic World movies, playing a similar character, and even voicing similar characters in The LEGO Movie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Not bad for a guy who wasn't supposed to audition for Guardians of the Galaxy in the first place.

For those films that couldn’t get Pratt himself, but wanted performances like that, there were those, like Glen Powell, available to fill the void. Interestingly, there are those who now feel Glen Powell is being forced on us as a movie star, a charge that previously had been laid on Chris Pratt.

Whatever the reason that Glan Powell finally came into his own, there are a lot of movie fans who are surely glad he did. Powell’s next film will be Edgar Wright’s take on Stephen King’s The Running Man, which looks to be a far cry from the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led original version of the film. He's also set to star in the sports comedy Chad Powers on Hulu. Those are just the sort of projects and roles that likely would have been handled in a very different way a few years ago, that might have left Glen Powell out of contention.

We are back in Terminal List mode; however, right now on the 2025 TV schedule, we’re hanging out in the past with the prequel series Dark Wolf. We’ll be dropped back into the present eventually, though, because Season 2 of The Terminal List is being made right now, and Chris Pratt and the cast are getting swole for it. And when it comes to how I’m feeling about all this, we need to talk about how author Jack Carr reacted to his star’s latest workout post.

So, at the moment, Dark Wolf is dropping new episodes on Wednesdays that you can stream with an Amazon Prime subscription. Meanwhile, the cast of Terminal List Season 2 is hard at work in the gym, as Chris Pratt posted this to Instagram:

What a workout! These guys certainly look like they’re working hard to make Season 2 the best yet – which will be a high bar to meet, considering Pratt thinks Dark Wolf is better than Season 1. I’m sure they’ll meet that goal too, because their passion for the work is obvious both on screen and in this BTS video.

Along with Pratt, some of his Terminal List cast members were there too, including, but not limited to, Dark Wolf’s Taylor Kitsch, Tom Hopper and Luke Hemsworth. Of course, that does not confirm or deny if they’ll also appear in Season 2 (I mean Kitsch’s character Ben died at the end of Season 1). However, it does show how committed they all are to being in the best shape to make these shows.

I think it’s reasonable to theorize that Hopper and Hemsworth could appear in Season 2, seeing as their characters, Raife and Landry, are in the book it’ll be based on, True Believer.

Speaking of the novels behind this book-to-screen adaptation, Jack Carr, who wrote them, saw Pratt’s post. Considering he also works on the shows, this isn’t shocking. And his reaction to the post was incredibly enthusiastic as he wrote:

“YES!” indeed! So far, Dark Wolf has been great, and I can’t wait to see how the story continues with Season 2. While Dark Wolf is a totally new story, the upcoming installment of the flagship show will be based on a book, and I think it’s safe to say we’ve been waiting to see how James Reece’s story continues in True Believer.

At the end of Season 1, he killed Ben and sailed off. According to Carr’s website, True Believer is a novel “of violent redemption,” as James Reece is tracked down to help the CIA figure out who is sending the world into mayhem after a deadly bomb goes off in London.

That sounds like the kind of intense story that will involve a ton of action. So, it makes sense that Chris Pratt is making sure to keep his ripped physique for it.

Now, the wait is really on for Terminal List Season 2. However, thankfully, we have a great project to help us with the anticipation, because Dark Wolf drops new episodes every Wednesday on Prime Video.

Though a large number of Batman fans currently want Alan Ritchson to play the Caped Crusader for James Gunn’s DCU (or in whatever other capacity is possible), there’s no shortage of additional options sparking similar casting discussions ahead of the upcoming movie The Brave and the Bold. One such actor is Chris Pratt, whose portrayal of Star-Lord in all three of Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies has heavily fueled such fan desires, and the director is aware those hopes exist. He just doesn’t maybe doesn’t agree wholeheartedly.

James Gunn's Response To Fans Calling For Chris Pratt As Batman

To clarify, the Superman filmmaker knows how important casting Batman is, and he does indeed want to team up with Pratt again in the future, and he does seem open to making it happen in the DCU. Just presumably without the Parks and Rec vet donning Batman’s signature cape and cowl. Speaking with Escorpión Dorado (Golden Scorpion), Gunn more or less confirmed that fans can expect to see the actor in his upcoming superhero movies at some point, but was otherwise vague. As he put it when asked about Pratt:

Such a direct statement might come across as a disappointment for some fans clamoring for Chris Pratt to take over as the face of another mega-franchise alongside The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Garfield. But here's the thing: I think there's potential for Pratt to take on something way more interesting within Gunn's DCU for a role that goes places fans haven't really seen him go before.

Hear me out: Pratt shouldn't play one of the heroes in the Bat Family, but rather one of the Dark Knight's villains. Since becoming a full-blown movie star, the actor has been cast almost exclusively in protagonistic hero roles, at least on the blockbuster side of things, and I think it's time for him to start leaning into his mustache-twirling era. And here's a shortlist of rogues that I think would be far more interesting for Pratt to play rather than Bruce Wayne.

Two-Face

For anyone who might have trouble envisioning what Chris Pratt would be like as a malicious and murderous arch villain, Two-Face could be the perfect transition role. The character's duality would allow the actor to still showcase his charismatic and genial side as attorney Harvey Dent, while also forcing him to get nasty and vile whenever the coin dictates it. It would also give Pratt a great reason to change up his approach to how he voices characters. I also kind of want to see what Two-Face would look like with a scruffy beard.

Black Mask

Far less visually cartoonish than many of Batman's other villains, Black Mask (a.k.a. Roman Sionis) is a hardcore and malicious crime lord that would allow Pratt to play a key Bat-nemesis without having to become a cackling maniac. I also think it would be interesting if his titular mask was malleable and form-fitting to his face, rather than merely being a fixed skull shape. (Worth noting: as a child, Roman was bitten by a rabid raccoon, but no word on whether its first name was Rocket or not.)

Tommy Elliott (Hush)

Live-action Batman fare has yet to adapt the fan-favorite arc that introduces Tommy "Hush" Elliott into Bruce and Batman's shared existence. Stepping in as Hush would put Pratt as up close and personal with the billionaire vigilante as possible, with some Batman-esque action in the mix, even if he wouldn't have all of the nifty costumes and gadgets. Tommy would work best with someone likeable playing him, which wouldn't be an issue for Pratt.

I could spend all day thinking about Batman villains that would be interesting for the Terminal List star to take on. In fact, here are a few others that I think he'd also be great for.

• David Cain
• Arnold Wesker (Ventriloquist)
• Solomon Grundy
• Kirk Langstrom (Man-Bat)

Let's remember that James Gunn is indeed interested in introducing Man-Bat to the DCU, so that last suggestion isn't as ridiculous as it seems.

With Superman & Lois vet Tyler Hoechlin having recently thrown his own name in the ring for possible DCU Batman portrayers, it's impossible to tell when James Gunn & Co. will make that decision, and it's equally impossible to know when that name would get officially announced. My money is still on Alan Ritchson, though, assuming Reacher doesn't get a 7-season renewal order from Prime Video in the near future.

The Terminal List is finally returning to the 2025 TV schedule; however, it’s not for Season 2 (yet). While the long-awaited sophomore installment is coming, we’re going back in time first to learn more about Taylor Kitsch’s character, Ben Edwards. So, while chatting with the actor and the series’ co-creator and showrunner, they told me why they wanted to make this show and how it was actually inspired by Ben’s final scene with Chris Pratt’s James Reece in the original series.

While the incredibly popular first season of The Terminal List and its upcoming second installment are book-to-screen adaptations of Jack Carr’s novel, Dark Wolf is not. It’s a totally new story about the origins of Kitsch’s character, and it will help us better understand the choices he made that ultimately led to his brutal betrayal of Pratt’s Reece and his death at the hands of his friend at the end of Season 1.

When I asked DiGilio about the creation of this series, he said it was that final sequence where Reece killed Ben that inspired Dark Wolf, as he explained:

If you have read The Terminal List and watched the series with an Amazon Prime subscription, you’ll know that Ben is quite different between the two. He's more cold-blooded in the book. Meanwhile, in the show, he helps Reece with his list, and he regrets his actions against his friend, leading him to be fairly understanding of Pratt’s character’s choice to kill him. Ultimately, that emotional reaction makes that final gunshot even harder to hear, and it made me wonder why Ben did all this in the first place.

To that point, DiGilio told me that moment, and Ben’s feelings about it sparked quite the debate online, which is what led to conversations about Dark Wolf. He said:

The talk about that scene and if Ben deserved his fate “launched Dark Wolf,” and we can ultimately thank Kitsch’s performance and Pratt’s love for him and his character for all of that, the showrunner told me. He also explained that out of that, they wanted to answer questions about how Ben got to this point in his life; how he became the dark wolf.

Elaborating on that point, DiGilio said:

For context, Dark Wolf starts right when Ben leaves the SEALS. We learn why he has to go, and the show explains how he wound up connected to the CIA. All of that ultimately helps explain why he acts the way he does in The Terminal List. Speaking to that idea and addressing why he wanted to play Ben again, Taylor Kitsch told me:

When I finished watching The Terminal List, I certainly needed to learn more about Ben. In the original show, he’s kind of an enigma and his motivations, while clear, needed elaboration. This prequel should give us that, and we can thank that final rollercoaster of a scene that ended in Ben's death for it.

So, now that we know why Dark Wolf got made and the scene that inspired it, it’s time to get excited. Chris Pratt has said this new show is better than Terminal List Season 1, and between that and the idea that we’re going to get Ben’s backstory, I cannot wait.

To see how Ben’s story began and the experiences that made him the man we met in Terminal List, you can stream the three-episode premiere of Dark Wolf on Wednesday, August 27, with a Prime Video subscription. After that, episodes will drop weekly on Wednesdays.

It’s not an understatement to say that Guardians of the Galaxy was a transformative movie for the careers of several people. It was the first big chance for both James Gunn to direct and for Chris Pratt to star in their first blockbuster film. Which makes it surprising that neither one of them wanted Chris Pratt in the movie.

Speaking with ET Pratt reveals that he had gone out for several major blockbusters, including earlier Marvel movies like Thor and the first Captain America. However, he received zero interest from the directors. Ultimately, he found success doing comedy on Parks & Recreation, and he assumed those sorts of roles would be his career.

He then ended up in the film Zero Dark Thirty, however, which got him in shape. Pratt says he began to have an interest in doing something with more action in it, but still wasn’t that enthused about being turned down by Marvel again. However, his agent insisted that Guardians of the Galaxy was the right project for him, leading him to attend an unplanned audition. Pratt said:

Casting director Sarah Halley Finn is an icon of the industry and a name that any MCU fan, or really any movie fan, will recognize. She’s been the casting director on more movies than you can count, including many of Marvel’s projects. She brought together the Avengers, and clearly she thought Pratt was somebody worth being seen for Guardians.

However, to hear Pratt tell it, one person who was not convinced the actor was right for the role of Star-Lord was director James Gunn himself. Pratt says Gunn was specifically against letting him audition at first, but as soon as he agreed, he knew he’d found Star-Lord. Pratt continued:

James Gunn certainly made the right call that day. Guardians of the Galaxy was something of a surprise hit, given how unknown the characters were at the time. The movie made Chris Pratt a movie star, leading to more A-list franchises like Jurassic World. James Gunn is now the head of DC Studios, something which almost certainly would not have happened without the success of Guardians.

And Star-Lord’s story isn't over yet. We were told at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 that “Star-Lord will return” but Chris Pratt’s name wasn’t among those listed in the cast of Avengers: Doomsday. Whatever the future holds for Chris Pratt, it’s a good thing James Gunn didn’t throw him out.

When The Terminal List premiered in 2022, it accumulated an insane number of minutes watched (1.6 billion minutes to be exact). So, there’s 100% a lot of anticipation for Season 2 as well as its prequel series, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, which will premiere on the 2025 TV schedule first. So, while discussing all that’s to come, Chris Pratt got real about why this new spinoff is better than Season 1 of his show and how that will ultimately help Season 2.

For context, Terminal List ended with Taylor Kitsch’s Ben Edwards betraying Pratt’s James Reece, and now, Dark Wolf will give us the story behind why Ben ended up in a place where he was willing to do that. I always thought Dark Wolf was a necessary spinoff, and now, hearing the Guardians of the Galaxy star hype it up, my expectations are even higher, as he told Collider:

I feel like this is probably the best outcome ever. Improvement is always the goal for basically everyone working, I’d assume, and that’s especially the case when you’re returning to a project. However, Dark Wolf isn’t just “bigger and better”; it’s outright better than Season 1 of The Terminal List, as Pratt, who is an executive producer on both shows, explained:

First of all, I love that Chris Pratt saw the room for improvement and acknowledged how much they’ve all grown between Season 1 and this prequel series. He expanded on that point, too, comparing the work on these shows to being in high school. He said:

This makes perfect sense. Most shows do get better as time goes on and the cast and crew are able to really find their groove. Just look at the evolution of the other big show Pratt was part of, Parks and Recreation (one of the best sitcoms ever), and you’ll see my point clearly.

Speaking directly to how time together has made them a better team, the Jurassic World star said:

Now, everything they’ve learned on Dark Wolf will be taken into Season 2 of The Terminal List, because, as Pratt said, “iron sharpens iron.” He explained this prequel raised the bar, and now they’re hoping to meet it in the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation of True Believer.

With that kind of passion and willingness to reflect and be critical, I have a feeling they’ll do just that.

So, now, get hype to use that Amazon Prime subscription to return to this world, because it sounds like we’re in for something fantastic (especially if you already enjoyed the first season of The Terminal List) when Dark Wolf premieres on August 27.

While it's been several years since Parks and Recreation's run on NBC ended, the workplace comedy remains quite popular. That's in great part due to streaming. Considering that continued buzz, it's hard not to wonder whether a revival or reboot will happen. That remains to be seen, but it turns out Chris Pratt is down to reprise his role as Andy Dwyer for a follow-up. Not only that, but Pratt has a wild idea for Dwyer that I think it too great not to, at least, be considered.

Parks and Recreation ran for seven seasons from 2009 to 2015. The show briefly returned in April 2020 with a COVID-centric special that saw basically the entire cast reprising their roles. A Zoom-based event, that production was well received and allowed fans to catch up with their favorite characters. As fun as the special was, a true-blue reunion movie or miniseries would arguably be even better. Chris Pratt spoke to Access Hollywood about the prospect of telling more stories set in Pawnee, Indiana, and I love his thoughts:

Chris Pratt's career has exploded since the mockumentary series concluded, as he's joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Jurassic World franchises. He also headlines The Terminal List (which is streamable with an Amazon Prime subscription).

It’s very sweet to hear just how much Parks still means to Pratt and that he also still thinks about Andy. During the COVID lockdown special, Andy was humorously revealed to have locked himself in his shed. That shed development seemingly indicated that Andy hadn't changed much but, if Pratt were to have his way, Dwyer would be a very different person in a reboot:

Fans of Parks and Recreation surely know that nothing is ever predictable when it comes to Andy Dwyer. Personally, I love the idea of him becoming a member of the wealthy town of Eagleton. Andy was already funny as he was on the show, but imagine an Andy who has more money than he knows what to do with. Of course, some may wonder how or why Andy's characterization would take such a turn. Well, Chris Pratt has put a lot of that in that as well:

Parks and Recreation is arguably one of the best sitcoms in NBC history, so it wouldn’t surprise me if a reboot were to happen sometime in the future. Of course, that would surely depend on whether the show's EPs have an idea that's worth executing. Plus, the producers are also busy with other projects. For example, it was reported earlier this year that Amy Poehler and co-creator Mike Schur would reunite for a brand new streaming show.

So, for now, a Parks and Rec revival feels relatively far out of reach. Nevertheless, I'm holding out hope that something comes to fruition and that the original cast and crew return. Of course, I'm also praying that fans will one day get to see a hilariously snobby Andy Dwyer living it up in Eagleton.

At the moment, fans can enjoy all seven seasons of Parks and Recreation by streaming them with a Peacock subscription.

It’s almost time to return to the world of The Terminal List by way of its prequel series Dark Wolf, and Chris Pratt is making sure the world knows. The actor is currently out and about promoting the series that’s about to premiere on the 2025 TV schedule, and of course, he brought his signature sense of humor with him. He proved that too by posting a fun BTS video of the press tour that involved him hilariously roasting himself, his spray tan, and his Electric State co-star Millie Bobby Brown.

For those who might not know, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a prequel series that focuses on Taylor Kitsch’s character, Ben Edwards. Pratt will reprise his role as James Reece in it too, so, naturally, he’s a big part of the press tour. That means lots of interviews, outfits and makeup, as he explained in his amusing Instagram video:

He then exclaimed that it was time to promote Dark Wolf, and I gotta say, I’m here for the enthusiasm and the funny take on getting ready. It really does take a village to do a press tour, and him kind of roasting himself here shows that.

The next clip showed Pratt getting touch-ups, presumably before going to an interview. He mentioned The Plaza Hotel, which makes sense, they’ve been doing press in New York City, which is an important detail for his next silly little joke.

While standing in his hotel room, he took a moment to point out some art on the wall. He then quipped that it was a picture of his Electric State co-star Millie Bobby Brown, saying:

It really was a funny joke, especially since their movie (which you can stream with a Netflix subscription) just came out earlier this year. While the kid in that old painting really looked nothing like Millie Bobby Brown, the short brown hair did evoke Eleven in Season 1 energy. Plus, with Stranger Things Season 5 on the horizon on Netflix’s 2025 schedule, I’m here for the little free promo Pratt gave her.

However, the gags didn’t end there, because the Guardians of the Galaxy actor brought this light-hearted roast back to himself, and specifically his spray tan, joking:

He’s always got the jokes, doesn’t he? Even though the subject matter of The Terminal List is notably darker than most of the projects Pratt’s best known for, he’s still keeping things light, bright and funny on the press tour.

That energy continued through the video too, as he signed autographs, took us backstage at The Today Show, hung out with fans, did a whole bunch of press for this new prequel series and attended the premiere.

Chris Pratt has been a busy bee, that’s for sure, and I love the silly goofy energy he’s bringing to it. Now, if you want to see the significantly more serious show he’s out promoting right now, you’ll be able to stream The Terminal List: Dark Wolf with an Amazon Prime subscription starting on Wednesday, August 27.

I don’t know about you, but I felt just as blindsided as James Reece (Chris Pratt) was at the end of The Terminal List when he found out that his friend and confidant, Ben Edwards (Taylor Kitsch), had betrayed him. Now, obviously, I get why Ben did this, because he explained his reasoning before he was killed. However, there’s still so much more to this story, I can just tell. So, thank goodness we’re getting a spinoff on the 2025 TV schedule all about this complex character.

How The Terminal List Ended For Ben Edwards

So, I did not contribute to The Terminal List’s 1.6 billion minutes watched when it originally came out in 2022. I binged it with my Amazon Prime subscription weeks before Dark Wolf’s premiere. Therefore, knowing Taylor Kitsch was getting his own show played a big part in my interpretation of and shock over the series.

This shocking instance I’m referring to is the scene where we find out that Ben was involved in the conspiracy that ultimately led to James’ team and family dying. That was confirmed in the show’s finale when Ben said:

Then, when James asked if Ben did this for his friends or for $20 million, Kitsch’s character replied with:

There wasn’t much explanation past that, and James ended up shooting his friend. Now, as we move into The Terminal List Season 2, I can’t help but wonder how that betrayal and choice will impact James. However, a bigger question on my mind is: What led Ben to do this? Well, thankfully, his spinoff from one of Amazon’s best shows might give us an answer.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Will Serve As Ben’s Origin Story

Here’s why I’m so relieved Ben is getting his spinoff, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf: I need to know when and why he changed and lost his undying loyalty to Reece and co. When did he decide to betray his brothers? What changed him to the point where he felt like he could or had to make the choice? How did his time in the CIA change him after he left the SEALs?

Thankfully, it seems like The Terminal List: Dark Wolf will answer at least some of those questions. The series, which premieres its first three episodes on Wednesday, August 27, will serve as Ben’s origin story. Amazon’s synopsis states that it will follow Kitsch’s character “throughout his journey from the Navy SEALs to the clandestine side of CIA Special Operations.” It also promises to be an “espionage thriller that explores the darker side of warfare and the cost that comes with it.”

I’m really hopeful that we’ll get some necessary backstory here that adds some depth to Ben's moral greyness, and I personally can’t wait to watch it. That feeling increased tenfold when I re-watched the trailer for Dark Wolf after seeing the original series, and heard Ben say:

So, that tells me we’ll get to see some events play out that lead to him ultimately giving up this “brotherhood” he found in the military. The trailer, which you can see below, also features Tom Hopper’s Raife Hastings talking about the importance of knowing how to find the breaks and stop as a whole bunch of violence happens.

It seems like Ben is a loose cannon, looser than he was in The Terminal List, and that will likely play into the choices he makes that eventually lead to his fatal fate at the end of the original series.

The Terminal List is one of Taylor Kitsch’s best projects, and his character was such a fascinating part of the series. So, I’m thrilled he’s getting a spinoff, and we might finally get some backstory to the biggest betrayal of Season 1.

For two years in a row, Chris Pratt voiced animated heroes that have a penchant for adventure and quippy one-liners. As we’ve been anticipating The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel on the 2026 movie calendar, it looks like the Jurassic World star will be returning to that other aficionado of Italian cuisine. Which actually makes the way Pratt announced the news of a follow-up to 2024’s The Garfield Movie even more fitting.

Taking to social media to share the news, Chris Pratt wasn’t content with a mere post thanking the fans, ending with “hope to see you at the movies in 20XX.” No, the man put his pizza where his mouth is, announcing The Garfield Movie 2 in style, possibly with extra cheese:

Now before anyone starts to wonder why we’re getting another outing with Jim Davis’ well-fed feline, I’m going to stop you with one word: “money.” The Garfield Movie may not have been the top-scoring success that Inside Out 2 was; but it did rake in an estimated $257.2 million against a reported production budget of $60 million.

Let’s also not forget that Garfield’s opening weekend topped the charts, which probably also felt like a vote of confidence in favor of the orange tabby. One final factor that probably sealed the deal is how I’m willing to bet that Chris Pratt wanted to do another chapter in The Garfield Movie’s story.

Voice acting gigs such as this are great for heavy rotation with kids, as anyone who keeps track of the As the previous installment is currently streaming through the Netflix subscription platform, you can bet this might cause a spike in viewing numbers for folks that want to see what the fuss is about.

Alas, an actor doesn’t merely ask a pizzeria to make him the standard “Custom Announcement Pie, with Extra Hype” for nothing. (Trust me, they exist.) So call me crazy, but I think this Garfield sequel is also happening because Chris Pratt wants it to happen.

Crazy, I know; but voice acting gigs look like a lot of fun for goofballs like the Parks and Rec quote machine in question. I'd say this is what happens when Chris Pratt's secret past as a "class clown" came to light, but those wheels were in motion a long time before Bryce Dallas Howard spilled that revelation.

Unfortunately, unless one of those other pies in the stack contains the information we seek, The Garfield Movie 2 is currently not set to arrive on any specific date. As soon as any further details are available, we'll report back with all of the piping hot developments that are fit to slice. Is it just me, or does a slice of Sicilian sound really good right about now?

SPOILER WARNING: The following article gives away, just about, the entire plot of Jurassic World Dominion. If you have not yet seen the 2022 Jurassic Park movie, act like Owen Grady holding up his hand to magically neutralize a dinosaur, and proceed with caution as you read on.

With Jurassic World Rebirth hitting theaters soon, I figured it was about time that I do something I had been reluctant to do: catch up with the full franchise and watch Jurassic World Dominion. Considering the beastly reviews from critics and audiences, I was braving the worst, but, to my surprise, I thought it was far from it.

To be clear, I would not call Colin Trevorrow’s sequel a good movie. I think it suffers from a pitifully lazy script, sleepy acting, and throwing out the previous film’s setup for a dinosaur-ridden dystopia in favor of, echoing Eric Eisenberg’s Jurassic World Dominion review, two bland, disparate plotlines that have little to do with, ya know, dinosaurs. However, I do not at all regret watching it and would choose to watch it again over most sequels to Steven Spielberg’s 1993 classic, which I realize may come as a shock to many Jurassic fans. Well, allow me to explain…

The Locusts Got Under My Skin

In previous articles of mine, such as my reaction to the recent sci-fi thriller Companion, I have made it clear that I am a staunch technophobe who fears how dangerously technology’s advancement could, or already has, affected our society. However, there is one fear of mine that I have been a bit less vocal about in my writing until now: bugs, especially ones of unusual size.

So, you might be able to imagine how I felt when the genetically engineered locusts appeared on the screen. Now, I will agree with the widely shared opinion that a Jurassic Park movie focusing its plot on a non-reptilian prehistoric creature is a mistake, but said creatures did manage to get my adrenaline going faster than any of the dinosaurs that appear in Jurassic World Dominion. That being said…

The Dinosaur Action Sequences Are Top Notch

Whenever a dinosaur would appear on screen in Dominion, I found it nothing short of impressive. The special effects, boasting the classic blend of practical animatronics with some of the best CGI Hollywood has to offer, were so convincing, I am surprised there was not more praise about that aspect, at least.

Aside from their visual effects, I felt that the action sequences involving dinosaurs are genuinely some of the best that the franchise has ever seen. I recall, in particular, being thoroughly riveted by a scene taking place in Malta, when Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) is chased on a motorcycle through the city by Atrociraptors. I had to stop and think to myself, Wow, I am actually having fun with this movie, and it did not stop there.

DeWanda Wise Steals The Show As Kayla Watts

The one reason I had to be somewhat optimistic about finally watching Dominion was the one aspect that I had heard positive rumblings about: DeWanda Wise as Kayla Watts. I could not agree more with my colleague Sarah El-Mahmoud that the daredevil pilot is the best character from the Jurassic World trilogy for her bravery and quick wit, and for just being a badass.

If there are any downsides to Kayla, I would say that she makes most of the other newer characters (including Mamoudou Athie’s Ramsay Cole and even Pratt’s Grady) look weaker than I already believed they were, and that she should have been introduced to the franchise earlier. With all due respect to Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, a part of me wishes that she were the focus of the upcoming 2025 movie, Jurassic World Rebirth, instead.

The Classic Characters Meeting The New Characters Won Me Over

Despite my harsh words about the newer Jurassic characters, I have to admit that I really enjoyed seeing them finally interact with Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). In fact, I don’t think I was ever amused by the OG heroes’ return until that moment, as the parameters of their reunion and the moments the trio shared never felt particularly natural. And don’t get me started about the random callbacks to the first film, like Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott) somehow possessing the fake Barbasol canister and displaying it in his office. What?!

Anyway, I can’t say that “natural” is a word I would use to describe Grant, Sattler, and Malcolm’s meeting with Grady, Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), and others in the final act either. The events that lead them to each other are far too convenient (like many other aspects of the plot), and much of their dialogue feels egregiously forced. Yet, there was something about seeing them all gathered together and relying on one another to survive against the prehistoric wildlife that left me wishing the movie had dedicated more time to bringing them together.

You Gotta Love A Three-Way Dinosaur Brawl

Of course, any Jurassic Park fan knows that the real draw of this franchise is not the meat, but the meat-eaters, and the one who rules them all is the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Any return by that big behemoth in these movies, no matter how convoluted the reasoning may be, is warmly welcomed by me, and its appearance in Dominion was no exception, especially since it was not alone.

I actually really dug how the T-Rex was treated as a hero, Godzilla style, in the film’s final act, when it teams up with a Therizinosaurus to bring down the Giganotosaurus. Watching the T-Rex throw the Giganotosaurus onto the Therizinosaurus’ claws, fatally impaling it, made for a more satisfying final battle than the Indominus Rex showdown in 2015’s Jurassic World, if you ask me.

I don’t see a future in which I ever boot up my Peacock subscription to watch Jurassic World Dominion again, unless I get curious and decide to check out the extended edition, which I hear is an improvement. Yet, I can’t say I feel that I wasted my morning watching it the other day, which is something I can’t say about most of the follow-ups to the original ‘90s movie classic, and that calls for a modest roar of applause in my book.

After Chris Pratt and Anna Faris split in 2018, the Jurassic World actor met Katherine Schwarzenegger through her mother, Maria Shriver. According to their relationship timeline, months of dating led to the pair announcing their engagement in January 2019, which was followed by a Montecito wedding. Now, they have three kids. So, when the actor shared his list of “essentials” he had in his life, you better believe his wife hilariously roasted him about something that caught her attention.

Chris Pratt has plenty of things to be grateful for both professionally and personally. While he’s got upcoming projects like the 2026 movie release, Mercy, he also has a loving wife, one son from his first marriage, and three kids whom he shares with Katherine Schwarzenegger. With all that in mind, he listed his top ten “essentials” he couldn’t live without on Instagram, and take a look at where his family falls:

I can understand and laugh at Chris Pratt taking a seriously practical approach with his “essentials” list since you really can't live without oxygen and organs. The air we breathe, our organs, blood, gravity, a higher power, and food & water are, of course, important.

However, Katherine Schwarzenegger hilariously roasted her hubby about the order of his “essentials” and highlighted something that many other Instagram users noticed too:

Not listing your wife and kids first is a bold choice. Believe me, I get listing your bodily functions first, as you can’t be there for your family without your health. However, the NFL comes before “My wife and kids?” Now, that’s a Fever Pitch moment if I ever heard one. Now I need to see Katherine Schwarzenegger’s own list of what Chris Pratt will have to do to get out of this one.

Now, Chris Pratt has not ignored his wife and the comments from others about the order of his “essentials” list. The Parks and Recreation actor made sure to clarify what’s truly at the top of his list that remedies any concerns we might have had at first:

Ok, we won’t overthink it. Chris Pratt has used his social media to show how much he loves his family. Whether he goes into full girl dad mode for his daughters or brings his first son, Jack, to set, he is absolutely a loving father.

Not to mention, Chris Pratt never shies away from showing his wife love online. Ahead of their second anniversary in 2021, The Electric State actor listed his favorite things about Schwarzenegger, like "her laugh," “her smile, her patience, her fortitude, her devotion as a mother, as a wife, her faith.” Then, for their fifth wedding anniversary in 2024, Pratt shared sweet words to his “honey” and said, “I thank God for you every day.” Now, that’s a husband who genuinely cherishes his partner and isn’t afraid to let the world know.

Katherine Schwarzenegger was totally boss for roasting her husband’s order of “essentials.” Then again, Chris Pratt made sure to clarify that his family is truly #1 on his list, so we can cut him some slack on that.

It’s been a very big year for the Schwarzenegger family. Arnold’s show, Fubar, just returned for Season 2 on the 2025 TV schedule. His son-in-law, Chris Pratt, also had a project on Netflix’s release schedule with Electric State. Plus, his son, Patrick Schwarzenegger, had a career-defining moment as he starred in Season 3 of The White Lotus. Now, that got me thinking about whether these three will ever work together. Well, The Terminator actor has said it could happen, but he has one condition.

Ahead of the new season of Fubar being available to stream with a Netflix subscription, Arnold Schwarzenegger attended its premiere. Considering the proximity of its June 12 release to the end of his son’s turn on The White Lotus as well as the fact that Chris Pratt is married ot his daughter Katherine, I’m sure many are thinking about how they could work together. To that point, Arnold told E! News he 100% would as long as it’s a solid project, explaining:

I can totally see where he’s coming from here. Obviously, it’d be fun to see these relatives in almost anything together. However, I wouldn’t want it to be made only because they are family. They need a good script to say yes to first.

All three of these guys know what that looks like, too. Arnold has been a part of some of the best action movies ever made – like Predator and Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Chris Pratt got his big break on one of the best sitcoms, Parks and Recreation, and then became an action star thanks to some of Marvel’s greatest movies, namely Guardians of the Galaxy. And now, Patrick is making quite a name for himself by starring in the prestigious and beloved The White Lotus.

So, this speaks to the kind of quality projects these guys can make. It also highlights the range of shows or movies they could potentially take on (as long as the script is good).

I could see this trio leading a new original action movie easily. However, I could also picture them in some sort of comedy together. Heck, maybe they’d make a superhero movie. Or, maybe, Arnold and Pratt could take a trip to The White Lotus for Season 4, and Patrick could return as his Ratliff sibling, Saxon (however, that, I fear, is just my wishful thinking).

Anyway, all this is to say, I have faith that if/when these three family members work together, they’ll make sure it’s something great.

At the moment, both Chris Pratt and Arnold Schwarzenegger have a handful of projects in the works, and Patrick Schwarzenegger has a pair of projects yet to be released. So, hopefully, they can find a window that works for all of them so they can spend some family time together on-screen via a well-written film or series.