Chris Pratt, Chris Pratt AI casting [Image Source: YIMG]
Chris Pratt shared that during the initial casting stages of his sci-fi thriller Mercy, he proposed the concept of using an AI to portray the judge character, Maddox. Set in the near future, the film centers on Pratt’s role as a homicide detective who faces a trial conducted by an AI judge after being accused of his wife’s murder. Despite AI’s central role in the storyline, Pratt revealed this idea was quickly dismissed early on, paving the way for a human actress to take on the role instead.
The Film’s Premise and AI’s Role in the Story
In Mercy, the protagonist is strapped to a chair and must convince an AI judge of his innocence within 90 minutes, or face immediate execution. Though the judge is a projected AI figure, Pratt explained the production decided against using an actual AI actor for the role. Instead, Rebecca Ferguson was cast as Judge Maddox, delivering a performance that combined robotic detachment with subtle human complexity.
Why the AI Judge Concept Was Set Aside
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Pratt recounted discussions about the possibilities for casting the AI judge, stating,
“I remember talking about the various people who could play these characters, and early on, I was like, ‘Should we have it be an AI, where the judge is actually AI, and we create an AI?’ And everyone was like, ‘No, I don’t think so,’”
he said. He reflected on the decision with humor, adding,
“I was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t think that’s a good idea at all,’”
and further explained,
“So it was actually never a possibility any more than anything is a possibility when you’re zeroing in on what the outcome is going to be and what the choices are that you’re going to make. It’s a collaborative effort.”
Unconventional Casting Ideas That Were Considered
Pratt also revealed another early, unconventional pitch where his character might have had the option to select the judge’s persona. He joked about imagining Oprah Winfrey in the role, saying,
Image of: Chris Pratt
“It’s dumb, it’s going to be dumb. It did not make sense, and I’m glad we didn’t do it,”
and elaborated,
“But one of my pitches early on was like, What if [my character] could pick the judge, and I could pick Oprah, or I could pick anyone I want. Because ultimately it’s just a face on a [screen]. And I thought that would be funny to have Oprah do it.”
He confirmed the idea was quickly discarded:
“It’s like when you watch the deleted scenes, and you’re like, ‘Yeah, there’s a good reason to delete that scene,’”
Pratt joked.
The Impact of Casting Rebecca Ferguson as Judge Maddox
Choosing Ferguson to play Judge Maddox was a pivotal decision for the film, one Pratt spoke highly of. He emphasized her suitability for the role, saying,
“She’s so incredible in the film,”
and noted,
“Ultimately, the chance of doing Rebecca was like, ‘Oh, that was perfect. She was a great piece of casting, because she’s so striking, she’s so beautiful, her face is so symmetrical that she almost looks like she’s an AI.”
Character Arc and Portrayal of the AI Judge
In the movie, Judge Maddox initially exhibits a mechanical, detached demeanor expected of an AI. However, her character gradually reveals more empathy and complexity as she learns about Pratt’s character, Detective Raven. Pratt described discussing these nuances with Ferguson, stating,
“Oh, yeah. It’s funny, what ends up in the movie versus what you discuss in the collaborative rehearsal process. We spoke at length about her humanity, and at one point, we discussed the possibility that she was becoming more human than she wanted to let on because she knew she would be replaced or reprogrammed to be less human.”
He added,
“So it’s as if she’s immediately starting to hide who she is and, in that moment, becomes sentient…If something is intentionally deceiving to protect itself, then that, in a way, is like the germination of sentience.”
Collaboration on Developing Judge Maddox’s Storyline
Pratt highlighted the intentional efforts made to craft Judge Maddox’s character journey alongside his own. He said,
“We discussed at length how to create an arc for her,”
explaining,
“My character certainly has an arc, but we wanted to know if she was also going to have an arc in terms of: Does she learn something? Does she become more? And she does. We wanted to make sure that we honored that, but without making it too human and still honoring the fact that it was an AI.”
Rehearsals and Their Role in Shaping the Final Film
Despite the complex dynamics involved, the actors dedicated significant time to rehearsing the film, resulting in a smoother editing phase. Pratt described the process, saying,
“We rehearsed it often, almost like how you would rehearse a play where you figure out the beats and the tones in the rehearsal process, and then you lay the thing out,”
and added,
“A lot of times in acting, you can build off what you did previously,”
continuing,
“You try something different. You give the editor 10 million options and let them create the movie they want to create in the post-production process. For us, we had a very streamlined vision of what we wanted it to be before we even shot it.”
Looking Ahead to ‘Mercy’s’ Release
Chris Pratt’s reflections on the casting choices and character development reveal the complexity behind blending human and AI elements in the film. As Mercy reaches theaters, audiences will be able to experience the tension and layered storytelling crafted through these deliberate decisions. The film’s approach to AI and humanity questions the boundaries between machine logic and sentient empathy, making it a thought-provoking addition to the sci-fi genre.
