Mercy: Chris Pratt on Being Locked into an Executioner's Chair for New Film – A Dramatic Departure

Chris Pratt's Boldest Role Yet: Trapped in 'Mercy'

Forget the intergalactic swagger of Star-Lord or the dinosaur-taming heroics of Owen Grady. Chris Pratt is about to deliver a performance unlike anything audiences have seen from him before. In his latest film,Mercy, Pratt steps into an intensely vulnerable role, famously requesting to be locked barefoot in an executioner's chair for extended periods to capture the raw authenticity of his character's plight. This striking choice immediately sets the stage for a dramatic departure from his familiar action-hero persona, cementingMercy: Chris Pratt on being locked into an executioner's chair for new filmas a must-see for fans and critics alike.

A Chilling Premise: Homicide, Hangovers, and High-Stakes AI Justice

Pratt portrays Chris Raven, a homicide detective whose life takes a terrifying turn when he finds himself accused of his wife's murder. Raven, an alcoholic, awakens in an executioner's chair following a drinking binge, with a crashing hangover and no memory of the previous night. His fate rests in the hands of an AI judge, who grants him a mere 90 minutes to prove his innocence or face immediate execution. The film unfolds in real-time, immersing viewers in Raven's desperate fight for survival within this chilling, digitally-driven courtroom.

The Unconventional Request: Authentic Performance in Confinement

For an actor known for his improvisational charm, this role demanded a profound shift. Pratt revealed to BBC News the deliberate choice to embrace discomfort:

"I thought this would help lend itself to the performance, and feelings of claustrophobia and being trapped. I was sweating, so if my face itched, I couldn't scratch it, and I couldn't get up."

He voluntarily spent up to 50 minutes at a time genuinely restrained in the chair, a testament to his commitment to portraying Raven's psychological and physical ordeal. This unique approach allowed Pratt to fully embody the character's desperation, providing a deeply immersive experience for the audience. "I couldn't rely on the thing I like to bring to roles - where I'm a little bit goofy and guileless. This is serious," Pratt emphasized, highlighting his eagerness to explore new facets of his acting range and offer audiences an unexpected performance.

Behind the Scenes: A Unique Filming Experience

The making ofMercyproved as unconventional as its premise. Pratt's scenes with co-star Rebecca Ferguson, who plays the formidable AI Judge Maddox, were shot with Pratt several feet above the ground, unable to see her directly. "Rebecca was there. I was listening to her voice, but she wasn't on set with me," he explained, detailing the isolation that further fueled his performance.

Much of the action, including intense stunt and fight sequences, is depicted through extensive surveillance footage gathered by Judge Maddox. This innovative storytelling allowed Pratt to escape the physical confines of the courtroom for other segments, likening the process to "shooting two movies at once." He found this method far more fulfilling than typical blockbuster productions, where disjointed scenes can take days to shoot for mere seconds of screen time. In contrast,Mercyoffered a continuous, theatrical performance with blockbuster-level special effects, creating a cohesive and engaging creative experience.

'Mercy' and the Rise of AI Justice: Fact or Fiction?

Beyond the gripping legal drama,Mercyserves as a thought-provoking sci-fi thriller, exploring a future riddled with ubiquitous digital surveillance and artificial intelligence deployed to combat crime. The film's 'Mercy court,' which Raven himself helped develop, showcases a system with no jury, no chance to appeal, and a staggering 92% instant execution rate – a stark reality where, as Pratt says, "Commit a crime today, you'll be dead tomorrow."

While the film is rooted in fiction, its themes resonate with contemporary discussions about AI. Recent reports from the UK House of Lords highlighted police forces using facial recognition, sparking concerns among academics and human rights groups about potential restrictions on civil liberties and privacy. The UK government's own plans to roll out AI technology by 2030, aimed at predicting and preventing crime, further underscore the film's relevance. However, the National Police Chiefs' Council has stressed the importance of addressing "ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and the threat of the criminal use of AI" alongside its immense potential.

Chris Pratt's Take on Technology and the Future

Despite immersing himself in a world of AI judgment, Pratt maintains that his perspective on artificial intelligence remains unchanged. He firmly believes in "a jury of your peers and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty," asserting that trial by an AI judge, jury, and executioner is not a viable path forward.

As a father of four, Pratt is also keen to shield his children from the "onslaught of digital mania" and the adverse effects of excessive screen time. Yet, he is no technophobe: "I'm not a total doomsday type of guy," he clarifies. "I'm cautiously optimistic about these evolving technologies, and how they might actually move humanity forward in a great way."

Catch 'Mercy' in Cinemas

As for his future cinematic endeavors, rumors suggest his beloved Marvel character Star-Lord could return in the forthcomingAvengers: Doomsday. Pratt remains playfully coy:

"At the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, they made a promise that the legendary Star-Lord will return. My prayers are that when that happens, it will be me playing him. We'll see. I hope so. I know that Marvel is busy cooking a lot of things in their kitchen right now, and I'm only a phone call away."

In the meantime, audiences can witness Chris Pratt's transformative performance inMercywhen it arrives in UK cinemas from Friday, January 23.