Chris Pratt dismissed fears about artificial intelligence overtaking Hollywood during the premiere of Mercy in New York. Speaking to Variety, Pratt addressed the rising concerns about AI-created performers, specifically questioning the hype around the digital actor Tilly Norwood, signaling skepticism about AI’s impact on human roles in film.
Pratt Challenges the Notion of AI Replacing Human Actors
Pratt bluntly said,
“I don’t feel like someone’s gonna replace me that’s AI,”
adding,
“I heard this Tilly Norwood thing, I think that’s all bullshit. I’ve never seen her in a movie. I don’t know who this bitch is. It’s all fake until it’s something.”
His remarks reflect a broader debate within the entertainment world about whether AI could truly supplant human actors, a prospect Pratt considers premature.
Belief in AI as a Tool, Not a Threat to Human Creativity
While acknowledging AI’s potential to disrupt the industry, Pratt emphasized its value as a tool rather than a replacement for artists. He explained that AI
“can be an amazing tool in the right hands,”
but expressed confidence that talent and human creativity will remain essential to filmmaking. He maintained that AI cannot replicate the emotional depth that defines impactful performances and storytelling.
He further stated,
“I don’t think you’re going to replace the human soul of a director or a writer or an actor or a singer or any of this stuff that requires human yearning and suffering and vision in art.”
This highlights his conviction that the essence of artistic expression comes from genuine human experience.
Controversy Surrounds Synthetic AI Actor Tilly Norwood
The conversation gained attention following the debut of Tilly Norwood, a fully artificial performer developed by Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden. Introduced at the Zurich Film Festival last summer, Tilly prompted a strong reaction across Hollywood. The actors’ union SAG-AFTRA criticized the technology, warning that AI performers could threaten jobs and undermine the value of human artistry, stating AI poses
“the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardizing performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry.”
In response, Van der Velden described Tilly as an artistic creation rather than a competitor, saying she is
“not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work – a piece of art.”
This framing separates the AI character from actual human actors, emphasizing its experimental nature.
Shared Skepticism Among Industry Leaders on AI’s Role
Chris Pratt’s stance echoes opinions from other high-profile figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, who earlier expressed that while technology can enhance creativity, it cannot replace genuine human expression. DiCaprio remarked,
“It could be an enhancement tool for a young filmmaker to do something we’ve never seen before,”
and added,
“I think anything that is going to be authentically thought of as art has to come from the human being.”
Future of Acting and AI: Maintaining Human Emotion Amidst Innovation
For now, Pratt remains unconcerned about AI-generated actors entering mainstream cinema. He views the panic over digital doubles and synthetic stars as unfounded until such technology can bring real emotional depth, struggle, and inventive vision to audiences. His comments suggest that human passion and artistry will continue to anchor the film industry despite advancing AI tools, leaving the debate about AI’s long-term effects open but grounded in appreciation for the irreplaceable human element.
