Pratt's AI Thriller 'Mercy' Headed for Box Office Disaster
The Guardians of the Galaxy star's latest sci-fi venture faces brutal opening weekend predictions despite his recent blockbuster streak. Industry insiders warn the futuristic courtroom drama might not even crack double digits.
Chris Pratt's winning streak at movie theaters appears ready to hit a wall. His latest project, the sci-fi thriller 'Mercy' starring Rebecca Ferguson, is tracking for a dismal opening weekend that could spell trouble for the A-list actor's theatrical momentum.
The film drops Pratt into a dystopian near-future Los Angeles where he plays a detective facing murder charges for killing his wife. The twist? He gets exactly 90 minutes to convince an artificial intelligence judge of his innocence. Think courtroom drama meets Black Mirror.
From Mario to Mayhem
Pratt's recent track record reads like a studio executive's dream. The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 both crushed expectations. His streaming ventures haven't disappointed either. The Terminal List and its spinoff Dark Wolf pulled solid numbers for Prime Video.
But Netflix's The Electric State drew harsh reviews, and now 'Mercy' faces similar headwinds. Pre-sale numbers look grim. Industry watchers whisper the film might struggle to reach double-digit millions during its debut frame.
AI Anxiety Meets Box Office Reality
Amazon MGM Studios greenlit 'Mercy' two years back, banking on the star power of Pratt and Ferguson. The supporting cast includes Annabelle Wallis, Kali Reis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers, Jeff Pierre, and Rafi Gavron.
Some critics already label the plot 'Minority Report lite,' drawing comparisons to Tom Cruise's 2002 sci-fi hit. The AI judge concept taps into Hollywood's current obsession with artificial intelligence themes, but audiences might be experiencing dystopian fatigue.
Weekend Warriors
'Mercy' faces stiff competition this weekend. 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' recently dominated with a $13.3 mn domestic take, outpacing '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.' Both films could still draw crowds away from Pratt's latest.
The real threat might come from 'Return to Silent Hill,' the third entry in the video game adaptation series. Horror movies have been crushing it lately, and nostalgia for the Silent Hill 2 source material could prove irresistible to genre fans.
If 'Mercy' bombs theatrically, it'll likely find new life on Prime Video within months. The streaming safety net might explain why Amazon MGM took the risk, but a theatrical flop would fuel ongoing debates about whether mid-budget films belong in cinemas anymore.