Chris Pratt insisted on being confined to an executioner’s chair for extended periods during filming of his new sci-fi thriller, Mercy, to enhance his performance. The 46-year-old actor, known for roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Parks and Recreation, plays a captive detective forced to prove his innocence before an advanced AI judge.
In an interview with the BBC, Pratt explained that he had “never played a character like this before” and wanted to ensure a convincing portrayal. He requested director Timur Bekmambetov to lock him in the chair for up to 50 minutes at a time, saying: “I thought this would help lend itself to the performance, and feelings of claustrophobia and being trapped.”
Pratt added that he could not rely on his usual goofy persona, saying: “This is serious.” The film, which also stars Rebecca Ferguson and Kali Reis, premieres in theatres on Friday and marks a significant shift from Pratt’s comedic roles.
Last year, actor Glen Powell credited Pratt’s portrayal of Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy with changing Hollywood’s expectations for leading men, noting that Pratt’s “silly and buoyant” style offered a necessary alternative to darker roles.
