Chris Pratt Mercy Movie AI Actor Pitch: Why the Star's Idea was Rejected (2026)

Could an actual AI out-act a Hollywood star? Chris Pratt recently revealed he pitched using a real artificial intelligence actor for his new sci-fi thriller, Mercy. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor admitted he's glad the production team shot down the idea, calling it a "good reason" to stick with human talent.

The Chris Pratt Mercy Movie AI Actor Pitch and Oprah Rumors

Set in the near future, Mercy follows a detective who has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an AI judge. Pratt recalled early casting talks where he suggested, "Should we have it be an AI, where the judge is actually AI?" The room's response was a swift "No." Pratt also joked about another wild pitch: letting his character choose the judge's face, potentially picking someone like Oprah Winfrey.

Rebecca Ferguson's 'Perfect' AI Performance

The role of Judge Maddox ultimately went to Rebecca Ferguson. Pratt praised her casting, noting her symmetrical features made her look almost like an AI herself. "She's so incredible in the film," Pratt said, emphasizing that a human actress could bring a level of evolving empathy that a never-before-seen AI program might struggle to replicate on screen.

Exploring Sentience Through Rehearsal

The actors spent significant time rehearsing the film like a stage play. They focused on the moment Judge Maddox becomes sentient, discussing how an AI might intentionally deceive others to protect itself. This streamlined rehearsal process meant the director didn't have to sift through 10 million options in post-production, as the vision was set before the first star even stepped on set.