Chris Pratt, once celebrated for his seamless shift from comedic roles to action star in blockbuster films, appears to be confronting significant hurdles in his acting career. At 46, Pratt’s recent projects, including the sci-fi thriller Mercy, which opened on January 23, have failed to meet expectations, triggering concerns about his long-term standing in Hollywood. The emergence of these struggles has raised discussions about a possible Chris Pratt midlife crisis.
In Mercy, Pratt portrays a detective accused of murdering his wife, but the film quickly earned negative reviews, receiving a low 21 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes within a week of release. Despite his previous successes, such as the immensely popular Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and the 2015 hit Jurassic World, which grossed hundreds of millions in opening weekends, his latest work has struggled commercially and critically. Mercy generated an estimated $11.2 million domestically during its opening weekend, a stark contrast to his past box office results.
Insiders Reveal Pratt’s Growing Anxiety Over Hollywood Status
Sources close to Pratt have disclosed to the Daily Mail that the actor is
“really feeling his age in Hollywood”
following a series of disappointing box office performances. Without the strong support of a major franchise, Pratt has begun to feel increasingly “invisible” in the industry, according to insiders. One insider shared,
“Chris is panicking. Full stop. This is the first time he’s really feeling his age in Hollywood – and it’s shaken him.”
Another source added,
“He always thought he had another decade of bulletproof stardom. Now he’s looking around and realizing the parts aren’t coming like they used to.”
This sense of insecurity has been compounded by his obsession with box office figures and review scores.
“That’s classic midlife crisis behavior in this town,”
noted an insider close to Pratt, highlighting the pressure the actor feels as roles become scarcer.
Journalist Robert Shuter previously reported in a Substack post that Pratt was “freaking out” behind the scenes post-release of Mercy, feeling the weight of the film’s poor opening. Shuter’s remarks in his Naughty But Nice newsletter pointed to Pratt’s belief that his name alone would guarantee a movie’s success, a miscalculation that has contributed to his shaken confidence.
Career Setbacks Amplified by Franchise Replacements and Criticisms
One blow to Pratt’s career appears tied to his replacement in the ongoing Jurassic Park series. British actor Jonathan Bailey took a lead role in the new film Jurassic World Rebirth, released in July 2025, earning praise from critics who called Bailey “the movie’s true star” and noted that his performance stood out distinctly from the rest of the ensemble. A studio insider described Pratt’s exclusion from the franchise as “a gut punch” and “symbolic,” emphasizing the emotional impact of being edged out of a role he once held.
Pratt’s attempt at a resurgence with the Netflix science fiction action film The Electric State alongside Millie Bobby Brown also faltered, garnering an even lower Rotten Tomatoes score of 14 percent. Meanwhile, the final installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, released in 2023, marked Pratt’s farewell to his superhero character Peter Quill and the end of a significant chapter in his career.
An insider revealed that Pratt harbors
“a real fear of being replaced”
in the industry, with younger and less costly actors increasingly securing roles he once expected to obtain. These dynamics seem to feed into his growing anxiety about Hollywood’s evolving landscape and his position within it.
Pratt’s Rise and Public Life: From Andy Dwyer to Action Star
Pratt’s journey to stardom began in 2009, with his role as the lovable and goofy Andy Dwyer in the NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation. Over the course of seven seasons until 2015, he transitioned from a comedic presence into a more physically imposing star, especially during the final season while filming the Marvel blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy.
The 2014 release of Guardians of the Galaxy catapulted Pratt into global fame and made him one of the leading actors at the box office, contributing to total career earnings estimated at $14.1 billion. Despite this success, Pratt’s public life has not been without controversy, including his divorce from actress Anna Faris and discussions relating to his religious affiliations.
Pratt and Faris married in 2009 and had a son, Jack, in 2012. They announced their separation in August 2017, with their divorce finalized in late 2018. Shortly before the divorce was complete, Pratt began dating author Katherine Schwarzenegger. The couple married in June 2019 and have three children: daughters Lyla Maria and Eloise Christina, and son Ford Fitzgerald, born in November 2024.
Controversies Surrounding Personal Life and Faith
Pratt sparked backlash in 2021 after an Instagram post praising his wife for giving him a “gorgeous healthy daughter,” which some fans interpreted as insensitive toward his son Jack, who was born prematurely. His caption read:
“We met in church. She’s given me an amazing life, a gorgeous healthy daughter, she chews so loudly that sometimes I put in my earbuds to drown it out, but that’s love! She helps me with everything. In return, periodically, I open a jar of pickles. That’s the trade. Her heart is pure and it belongs to me.”
He later addressed the criticism in a 2022 interview with Men’s Health, expressing how deeply the backlash affected him, stating,
“My son’s gonna read that one day. He’s nine. And it’s etched in digital stone. It really f**king bothered me, dude. I cried about it.”
Pratt added,
“I was like, I hate that these blessings in my life are – to the people close to me – a real burden.”
Questions about Pratt’s politics and religious beliefs have also arisen, particularly involving his connection to the Zoe Church in Los Angeles, which has historical ties to the controversial Hillsong megachurch. Actor Elliot Page accused Pratt’s church of being “infamously anti-LGBTQ,” prompting Pratt to respond publicly on Instagram that his church
“opens their doors to absolutely everyone”
and stating,
“Nothing could be further from the truth.”
Pratt clarified in his Men’s Health interview that he “never went to Hillsong,” distancing himself from the scandal involving Hillsong’s former pastor Carl Lentz, who was dismissed over leadership and moral failures. The church controversy continues to hover over Pratt, complicating his public image.
Financial Concerns and the Harsh Realities of Aging in Hollywood
According to insiders, money is becoming a significant stress for Pratt, who is accustomed to the financial security provided by lucrative franchise roles. This financial pressure adds to his growing fear of becoming irrelevant in a fiercely competitive industry.
“Growing older in this industry is brutal,”
a friend close to the actor admitted, underscoring the harsh realities Pratt is facing. Another source remarked,
“For someone who’s always been on top, that’s terrifying,”
referring to Pratt’s newfound sense of invisibility.
As Pratt navigates these turbulent times, the future of his career remains uncertain. Without the cushion of major franchise films, how he adapts to this phase will likely determine his lasting presence in Hollywood. Observers and insiders alike are watching closely to see whether he can regain his footing or if this midlife crisis signals a more permanent shift in his star power.
Oh. K. Um. But his church is infamously anti lgbtq so maybe address that too? https://t.co/meg8m69FeF
— Elliot Page (@TheElliotPage) February 8, 2019
