Hollywood actor Chris Pratt has firmly rejected fears that artificial intelligence performers could replace human actors in the entertainment industry, bluntly labelling the surrounding panic as "bulls***". The star made his comments during the premiere of his new film Mercy in New York this week, directly addressing the controversy generated by the emergence of AI-generated actress Tilly Norwood.
Pratt's Unwavering Confidence in Human Artistry
When questioned by Variety about the potential threat posed by AI actors, Pratt responded with characteristic confidence. "I don't feel like someone's gonna replace me," he insisted, adding pointedly: "I heard this Tilly Norwood thing, I think that's all bulls***. I've never seen her in a movie. I don't know who this b**** is. It's all fake until it's something."
The 46-year-old actor, who rose to fame in television drama Everwood before achieving global recognition through roles in Parks and Recreation, the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, and Jurassic World films, elaborated on his perspective. Pratt acknowledged that AI technology would "inevitably disrupt the industry" but remained certain that "great filmmakers would continue to make great films".
Broader Industry Concerns About AI Performers
Pratt's comments come amidst significant unease within Hollywood about synthetic performers. Tilly Norwood, created by Dutch comedian Eline Van der Velden, was unveiled at the Zurich Film Festival last summer, sparking immediate backlash. The actress has since gained over 93,000 Instagram followers, with AI-generated videos showing her on red carpets, appearing on talk shows, and starring in mock film trailers.
Several prominent actors have publicly criticised the development, including Emily Blunt, who warned it would "take away our human connection", and Scream actress Melissa Barrera, who called the creation "gross". Natasha Lyonne, Sophie Turner, Toni Colette, and Ralph Ineson have also expressed concerns.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has raised serious objections, stating that AI performers like Norwood create "the problem of using stolen performances to put actors out of work, jeopardising performer livelihoods and devaluing human artistry".
The Creator's Defence and Broader Implications
In response to the criticism, Van der Velden released a statement defending her creation. She described Tilly Norwood as "not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work" that "sparks conversation". The comedian, who is an actor herself, argued: "I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush. Just as animation, puppetry, or CGI opened fresh possibilities without taking away from live acting, AI offers another way to imagine and build stories."
Van der Velden emphasised that "nothing – certainly not an AI character – can take away the craft or joy of human performance" and suggested that "AI characters should be judged as part of their own genre, on their own merits", rather than being directly compared to human beings.
Parallel Concerns in the Music Industry
The entertainment industry's AI concerns extend beyond acting. Recently, it was revealed that popular soul singer Sienna Rose – who boasts over 2.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify – is actually an AI-generated artist. Her quick success, including the release of an EP and debut album, has raised similar ethical questions.
Veteran musician and producer Kev Nixon, who has worked with artists including Madonna and Bryan Adams, expressed alarm about AI "taking over" the music industry. "This is ripping off new artists by not giving them a chance," he told Metro. "The system is now completely clogged up [with AI songs]. The chances of emerging artists getting their songs up on platforms and getting attention is almost nil… which is preventing them getting paid."
Nixon added forcefully: "The money Sienna has been paid should be going to a young girl whose just made her first record and that could change her life. That is a criminal thing to happen."
Pratt's Vision for AI as a Creative Tool
Despite his dismissal of replacement fears, Pratt acknowledged AI's potential positive applications. He suggested the technology could be "an amazing tool in the right hands" when used for purposes that don't threaten human employment. The actor emphasised the irreplaceable nature of human creativity in artistic endeavours.
"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," Pratt concluded, reinforcing his belief in the enduring value of human performance despite technological advancements.
As AI continues to develop capabilities in creative fields, the debate between technological innovation and preservation of human artistry shows no signs of abating, with industry figures like Pratt taking firm positions on both sides of the argument.
