Chris Pratt Slams AI 'Actor' Tilly Norwood

Chris Pratt has publicly dismissed the growing anxiety within Hollywood over AI-generated performers, calling the controversy surrounding the viral creation Tilly Norwood 'bulls**t'.

The Marvel and Jurassic World star's comments come amid a heated industry debate about synthetic talent, with the AI 'actress' sparking significant backlash from actors and industry guilds.

While promoting his new film Mercy, Pratt argued that AI technology represents an inevitable evolution in filmmaking rather than a threat to human performers.

The controversy centers on Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated creation presented as the next generation of acting talent. Developed by Eline Van der Velden, founder of AI company Particle 6 Productions, the digital performer was promoted as a potential successor to stars like Scarlett Johansson and Natalie Portman.

Van der Velden announced the creation of talent studio Xicoia, which Deadline reported was already in discussions with talent agents interested in representing the AI character. This announcement triggered immediate condemnation from the Hollywood community.

The backlash was swift and vocal from established actors:

• Melissa Barrera of Scream fame called the move 'gross'
• Mara Wilson of Matilda accused creators of 'identity theft'
• Ralph Ineson of Fantastic Four responded with direct profanity

The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) intervened with a formal statement, warning producers against using 'synthetic performers' without proper contractual compliance.

Despite the industry-wide alarm, Chris Pratt expressed complete confidence in his own job security. The 46-year-old actor, who portrays Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, stated unequivocally that he doesn't fear replacement by artificial intelligence.

"I don't feel like someone's gonna replace me that's AI," Pratt told Variety. "I heard this Tilly Norwood thing. I think that's all bulls**t. I've never seen her in a movie. I don't know who this b***h is. It's all fake until it's something."

Pratt's dismissal reflects a broader skepticism about the immediate threat posed by synthetic performers. His comments suggest that despite the technological capabilities demonstrated by creations like Tilly Norwood, the actor believes practical implementation remains limited.

The 46-year-old actor's perspective carries weight given his position as one of Hollywood's leading action stars, with major franchises including Jurassic World and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

While Pratt dismissed the threat of AI replacement, he acknowledged the technology's potential to transform the industry. He described AI as an 'amazing tool' that would inevitably disrupt Hollywood by streamlining production processes and reducing costs.

However, Pratt maintained a firm distinction between technological efficiency and artistic essence. He argued that AI cannot replicate the fundamental qualities that define human performance.

"AI wouldn't replace the human soul," Pratt asserted.

This nuanced position reflects a growing sentiment within the industry: AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement. The technology could potentially handle:

• Background character generation
• Visual effects enhancement
• Production cost reduction
• Streamlined post-production workflows

Yet the core creative performance—the emotional depth, improvisation, and human connection—remains, in Pratt's view, exclusively human territory.

Eline Van der Velden has consistently defended her creation against criticism, framing Tilly Norwood as artistic expression rather than a threat to human actors. In response to the backlash, she emphasized that the AI character represents experimentation, not substitution.

"She is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work—a piece of art," Van der Velden stated. "Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity."

Van der Velden, herself an actor, argued that AI represents a new creative medium comparable to animation, puppetry, or CGI—technologies that expanded storytelling possibilities without eliminating live performance.

"I see AI not as a replacement for people, but as a new tool, a new paintbrush," she explained. "Creating Tilly has been, for me, an act of imagination and craftmanship... She represents experimentation, not substitution."

Despite this vision, Tilly Norwood's 'acting career' has yet to gain significant traction, though Van der Velden was reportedly developing a shortform AI-led series for The History Channel as of November.

The debate over Tilly Norwood represents a critical juncture for Hollywood as it navigates the intersection of technology and artistry. While Chris Pratt and other actors dismiss the immediate threat, the industry must address fundamental questions about creative ownership, contractual rights, and the definition of performance.

SAG-AFTRA's intervention signals that guilds are preparing for potential conflicts over synthetic performers, particularly regarding compensation and representation. The union's warning about contractual obligations suggests that legal frameworks will be crucial in determining AI's role in future productions.

As Particle 6 Productions continues developing AI talent, the industry faces a balancing act between embracing innovation and protecting human performers. Pratt's confident dismissal may reflect current reality, but the rapid advancement of AI technology ensures this conversation will only intensify.

The ultimate question remains not whether AI can perform, but how the industry will define and regulate its use—ensuring that technological progress enhances rather than replaces the human element that makes cinema compelling.