Showing posts with label Chris Pratt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Pratt. Show all posts
Indian films are now performing outside their massive fan base in India-Chris Pratt
10:23 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2023)
In the final leg of the journey, our beloved bunch of misfits take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride with Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3. The last instalment of the trilogy has enough and more surprises in store for you. Chris Pratt, the charming Star-Lord/Peter Quill, and James Gunn, one of the biggest filmmakers in the superhero universe, have been constants in the Guardians franchise for almost a decade. In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, Chris and James speak about their latest Marvel adventure, the longevity of superhero films and their take on Indian cinema.
This is the conclusion of a much-loved film series. The last time fans got this emotional was during Avengers: Endgame (2019). What was running through your mind?
James: My feelings are the same as theirs and probably multiplied by a hundred. It was a beautiful experience to watch the story come together. We have completed it in a way that’s true to ourselves and the creative process. But it was also sad since it was the last time I would be working with these characters (Peter, Rocket, Groot, Nebula, Gamora and Mantis), at least for some time. That’s a bittersweet feeling. I am so grateful for the entire experience, and I am happy. Chris: I am grateful to James for giving me this opportunity (hugs the director).
Beyond the superpowers and action extravaganza and the Guardians franchise, in fact, most Marvel movies revolve around emotions, humour, friendship and love. Indian films are also known to be a blend of all these elements. What’s your take on this?
James: So many American spectacle films are based solely on the history of American films. One of the things that I love about Indian cinema is that you all don’t have all these set rules like American films do, and that has been a great inspiration for me. The Guardians movies are not only comedies, but also dramas and musicals. They also have action and adventure, and we don’t hold back with anything. I am a huge fan of Indian and Asian cinema (Japanese, South Korean, Hong Kong). They inspire me more than anything else.
Chris: I agree. I was excited to see that the Best Original Song at the Oscars this year went to an Indian number (Naatu Naatu from RRR). Watching the dancers perform to that song live was extraordinary. It was a nice moment to appreciate how the borders between films from various countries are dissolving. Cinematic language is global. Indian films are now performing outside their massive fan base in India. I love Indian cinema. It’s fun, it’s whimsical. It never takes itself too seriously but is also not afraid to take itself too seriously in the same movie. Shifting tones and to be able to go from a joyous, fun choreographed dance number to a very heartfelt melodramatic moment – I feel that’s very special.
The longevity and box office domination of big-ticket superhero films are often a topic of discussion. Is this just a phase or are superhero spectacles here to stay?
James: That really depends on the filmmakers. If movies are just about explosions and pyrotechnics and not about characters first, or don’t have a heart or a story, then superhero fatigue could be a real thing. The audience will eventually feel tired. However, if we focus on the characters and the story first, we can have superhero films as long as we want, like any other genre, like the western or musicals. If the movies are good, the audience will show up. If the movies are not good, they won’t.
Chris: Superhero names might be an impetus for studios willing to spend a lot of money on these films. But just because you have a studio that has a great deal of money to invest in a title, if you don’t start ground up and create extraordinary characters and tell a story that’s fantastic, regardless of the title, then you are pretty much doomed. It’s fantastic that people like James (Gunn) are going to contribute to these films that are grounded and are good quality movies.
Films are one of the last shared experiences we all have as a community-Chris Pratt
8:13 AM
Kritika Kapoor (BOMBAY TIMES; May 12, 2022)
Almost three decades ago, before he even knew he wanted to be an actor, Chris Pratt saw Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park in 1993. “I remember watching dinosaurs on screen and Sam Neil, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum just be stars and play these characters that were very impactful on me as a youngster. And then cut to today, and I am now one of the faces of this franchise!” says Pratt, who still seems to find the whole thing incredulous, even after starring in three films of the Jurassic World franchise.
The first installment, Jurassic World, came out in 2015 – when Pratt was fresh off the success of Guardians Of The Galaxy and The Lego Movie, having barely begun his innings as a Hollywood leading man – and was instrumental in catapulting him to global stardom.
Now, Jurassic World: Dominion will mark the end of this series, and this chapter of his life – a fact that he’s visibly sentimental about as he tries to sum up his feelings over a Zoom call. “I am not sure I’m able to digest what this franchise has really meant to me, and it will probably take the rest of my life for me to be able to comprehend just what an impact it has had on my life, personally and professionally,” he says.
Ahead of the film’s release, the actor talks to us about his final tryst with the dinosaurs, why big theatrical films continue to be an escape in ‘a dangerous and scary world’, and his experience of working with the late Irrfan, whom he considers to be a ‘rare combination of strength in softness’.
There’s a particularly funny dialogue at the end of the trailer, mouthed by Jeff Goldblum, with reference to the dinosaurs – ‘Why do they always have to go bigger?’. That’s also true for the scale this movie is mounted on and the stakes that are much higher this time around. How does it feel to shoulder the pressure of this franchise that keeps getting bigger, and in which your jumping off point – the original 1993 movie – was a masterpiece to begin with?
I think, at the time (with Jurassic World), there was a lot of pressure to get it right, to make sure that we were telling a story that deserves to be told – that it was not just a gratuitous or cynical trip back to the well... and to find a reason to tell a story in a compelling way that feels fresh. And Colin (Trevorrow, director) absolutely had that with Jurassic World. It made perfect sense. Then the second film (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) had a little bit of trouble, since it was important that we use that as a hinge to get to this point where we can actually tell this story about not a fake Jurassic World, but a real Jurassic World. In the third film, we are dealing with the proliferation of the dinosaurs around the world, and dinosaurs not just as a creature or a monster that’s dangerous, but also the genetic technology and what that could mean for a money-hungry global corporation. It’s not just about bringing back the animals – that if they get out of their cage, could eat one or two people – it’s something completely different, more diabolical. Its threat is existential. So now, we’ve really earned this story.
The dinosaurs have always carried a deeper meaning, and been a metaphor for real-world issues. This time, there’s also a mention of climate anxiety and coexistence between two species. What do they symbolize for you?
They essentially symbolize an existential threat... in the hands of the wrong people. I mean, these days, god, dare I say it? It resembles any sort of threat. Is it nuclear arms or the extinction of wonderful species through loss of habitat? Is it global warming? Or, sadly, is it COVID? Is it war? These days, it feels like there’s any number of existential threats that parallel this film. And all we can hope is that sometimes we can learn our lesson, and expect that in order to do so, there’ll be some suffering. And that’s part of the reason that these films really resonate, not only because of the lessons they teach, but also because the world in itself is dangerous and always has been. And amidst that it’s beautiful to take two hours and go park your a** in a theatre somewhere, in a room full of strangers that if you knew who they were, you might not even like them. But it’s one of the last, shared community experiences we all have. You’re in the dark, you’re not on your phone, you don’t know who the person next to you is. You don’t know what their politics are, what their philosophies are about life, you don’t need to know. All you know is that you’re next to each other and you’re both jumping at the same moments, you’re both laughing at the same moments, crying at the same moments – it’s a big epic film. And so, in a world that’s dangerous and scary, there’s this escape – and it’s through entertainment, art, popcorn. We could all use those two hours off our phone.
The first film in the franchise – Jurassic World – featured one of India’s most celebrated actors...Irrfan Khan.
Yes, Irrfan, as Simon Masrani, the billionaire owner of the amusement park
What was your experience of working with him?
He was just such an elegant man... like, down to his fingernails. There was just an elegance about him. He was also so powerful. It’s really a rare combination for there to be such strength in softness. And that’s what I would call elegant – he could do very little, and still he would be doing so much. Just by his sheer presence, and his sheer charisma, that he would bring to a role. One tiny flick of an eyebrow, or one tiny little move, was so powerful (sighs).
Being the final film of the franchise, it has a lot of nostalgia packed in it. A lot of the OG cast members (including some dinosaurs) are returning this time. How was it reliving those Jurassic Park memories as a kid, and being in the middle of all the action as an adult?
It was surreal. You know, it’s no secret, I was a big fan of Jurassic Park growing up. And Sam Neil, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum have come back! Not only is it a grand endorsement of what we have done in the previous films, but also it’s an opportunity for me to work with some of my idols. The film is epic in size, scope and scale. It has the feeling of Avengers: Infinity War or the most recent Spider-Man. We’re bringing characters back and watching them interact with one another on screen, it’s like visiting a family you haven’t seen in – you know – 30 years, and what are they up to now. At the same time, through the course of shooting the film amid really strict COVID restrictions, we all became very close, and got to know a lot about each other, developed intimate relationships with one another, the ‘real us’ – the real Chris, the real Sam, Laura, Jeff, Bryce (Dallas Howard) and all of our new wonderful cast members – we just got very close. So it’s hard to describe it all in one word – I would say, surreal, but ultimately it also comes down to ‘sentimental’. I am feeling emotional right now... as it’s coming to an end. I’m trying to savour every second.
During your stint with the Jurassic Park franchise, you’ve met your fair share of dinosaurs. Are there any you’d count as your favourites? Which are the ones you definitely wouldn’t mess with?
I wouldn’t mess with any of them! (laughs) My favourites – gosh! – you know, I’m a sucker for the Velociraptor. There’s this new version of the Velociraptor called the Atrociraptor – which is just a diabolical, killing weapon. There’s a couple of really funny ones – that are kind of cute! (laughs) There’s one called a Pyroraptor – which has bright red feathers, and so it’s unlike any other dinosaur I’d seen before, and also answers this criticism that seemed to be a groundswell from certain dinosaur experts who were really hung up on the idea that none of the dinosaurs had feathers, ‘because (real) dinosaurs would have had feathers’. So they get paid off in that, like, ‘okay, there is one’ – and it’s pretty creepy looking. And then there’s the Gigantosaurus, which is the biggest land carnivore to have ever existed. It’s a lot of dinosaurs! We battle on sea, we battle on ground and we battle in air!
Priyanka Chopra to star opposite Chris Pratt in Cowboy Ninja Viking?
8:49 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (August 1, 2018)
Priyanka Chopra may soon be joining the cast of the Hollywood film Cowboy Ninja Viking. The actress is in talks to star in the flick opposite Jurassic Park actor Chris Pratt, according to a magazine. The highly coveted role reportedly went to Priyanka after a chemistry test with Chris went extremely well. The film, which is slated to release next year, is an adaptation of the graphic novel by A J Lieberman and follows a counter-intelligence unit of Multiple Personality Disorder patients who are turned into hired killers.
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MUMBAI MIRROR (August 1, 2018)
Four days after Mirror reported that Priyanka Chopra has walked out of Bharat, it has emerged that the actress has signed on a new Hollywood production.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, PeeCee has bagged the lead role opposite Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World star Chris Pratt in a screen adaptation of Cowboy Ninja Viking, which is based on the image comics graphic novel by A J Lieberman and illustrator Riley Rossmo. The film, which will see the actress as Pratt’s love interest, has found a director in Michelle Maclaren, who has previously helmed episodes of acclaimed shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad.
The book revolves around an assassin who manifests the toughest skills of three different personas: a cowboy, a ninja, and a Viking. The film, which is co-produced by Pratt, is currently under pre-production and will release on June 28, 2019.
Priyanka had recently wrapped up her Hollywood commitments, including two films — A Kid Like Jake and Isn’t It romantic — while her TV show Quantico wound up in March this year.
Back in India, she had done a look test with Farhan Akhtar for Shonali Bose’s The Sky is Pink and starts shooting for it from August 8. In the film, PeeCee plays mother to Zaira Wasim’s protagonist which is inspired by author and motivational speaker Ayesha Choudhary, who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis and passed away at 18 in 2015.
PeeCee exited Bharat a fortnight before she was to kick off shooting for her portions, including a lavishly mounted Holi song, fuelling rumours of an engagement with American singer beau Nick Jonas and an October wedding.
The film was expected to reunite her with Salman Khan a decade after Anees Bazmee’s comedy drama, God Tussi Great Ho.
Mallika Sherawat's brother Vikram Singh Lamba signs Chris Pratt for his Hollywood film The Kid
9:17 AM
Actress’s filmmaker brother, who’s working with Chris Pratt, on how she facilitated his H’wood career
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 2, 2018)
Mallika Sherawat may have made quite the splash at the Cannes premiere of her first international project, the 2005 Jackie Chan-starrer Chinese production The Myth, but her Hollywood debut would materialise only five years later with the Jennifer Lynch-directed Hisss. And while her 2011 followup, Politics Of Love, sank without a trace like its predecessor, the film marked the actress’s brother Vikram Singh Lamba’s foray in Hollywood, who had served as a co-producer on the film.
After seven years, Lamba has made a giant leap in his career in the West — the 36-year-old filmmaker’s next production, The Kid, features the star of American screen extravaganzas Jurassic World and Gaurdians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt.
“Today, I shuttle between Mumbai and Los Angeles but back in 2011, it was really difficult. It took me a while to understand the business as Hollywood doesn’t open to outsiders overnight. Mallika was instrumental in helping me find my feet because she has made some great connections in Los Angeles. It’s because of her that I have managed to do everything here,” Lamba tells Mirror.
He is also gearing up to bring his leading man, 38, to India towards the year-end to promote their film. Adding that the film’s ensemble cast and the makers, are looking forward to the trip, Lamba informs, “Everyone in the West is always excited about visiting India. To them, it is a mysterious land replete with charm and colours. They have Rajasthan, Kerala and the Taj Mahal on their itinerary.”
The Kid is directed by Vincent D’Onofrio (who also features in the film) and was shot in New Mexico last year in October and November. Currently in postproduction, it has been conceptualised and co-produced by Jordan Shur, who brought Lamba on board as co-producer.
Prod him on the time between his first and second Hollywood projects and Lamba informs that he brought his sister’s close friend Chan to India in 2010 to promote his Hollywood action-drama, Little Big Soldier. Chan had not only explored tourist spots in South India but also met with the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. “Mallika introduced me to a whole new network of people. In 2016, I coordinated Arnold Schwarzenegger’s trip,” he says, adding that he also introduced the Cannes AmFAR charitable gala in India in 2013 with Oscar winner Hilary Swank in attendance and a live performance by singer-songwriter Kesha.
Is a Hollywood project with his actress-sister on the cards, too? “Mallika is not involved in any of my upcoming projects as both of us are moving in different directions. She is busy with her life right now, while I have a slate of films ready that includes A-list actors and top directors but down the line, I definitely want to collaborate with Mallika too,” Vikram signs off.
Mallika Sherawat may have made quite the splash at the Cannes premiere of her first international project, the 2005 Jackie Chan-starrer Chinese production The Myth, but her Hollywood debut would materialise only five years later with the Jennifer Lynch-directed Hisss. And while her 2011 followup, Politics Of Love, sank without a trace like its predecessor, the film marked the actress’s brother Vikram Singh Lamba’s foray in Hollywood, who had served as a co-producer on the film.
After seven years, Lamba has made a giant leap in his career in the West — the 36-year-old filmmaker’s next production, The Kid, features the star of American screen extravaganzas Jurassic World and Gaurdians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt.
“Today, I shuttle between Mumbai and Los Angeles but back in 2011, it was really difficult. It took me a while to understand the business as Hollywood doesn’t open to outsiders overnight. Mallika was instrumental in helping me find my feet because she has made some great connections in Los Angeles. It’s because of her that I have managed to do everything here,” Lamba tells Mirror.
He is also gearing up to bring his leading man, 38, to India towards the year-end to promote their film. Adding that the film’s ensemble cast and the makers, are looking forward to the trip, Lamba informs, “Everyone in the West is always excited about visiting India. To them, it is a mysterious land replete with charm and colours. They have Rajasthan, Kerala and the Taj Mahal on their itinerary.”
The Kid is directed by Vincent D’Onofrio (who also features in the film) and was shot in New Mexico last year in October and November. Currently in postproduction, it has been conceptualised and co-produced by Jordan Shur, who brought Lamba on board as co-producer.
Prod him on the time between his first and second Hollywood projects and Lamba informs that he brought his sister’s close friend Chan to India in 2010 to promote his Hollywood action-drama, Little Big Soldier. Chan had not only explored tourist spots in South India but also met with the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. “Mallika introduced me to a whole new network of people. In 2016, I coordinated Arnold Schwarzenegger’s trip,” he says, adding that he also introduced the Cannes AmFAR charitable gala in India in 2013 with Oscar winner Hilary Swank in attendance and a live performance by singer-songwriter Kesha.
Is a Hollywood project with his actress-sister on the cards, too? “Mallika is not involved in any of my upcoming projects as both of us are moving in different directions. She is busy with her life right now, while I have a slate of films ready that includes A-list actors and top directors but down the line, I definitely want to collaborate with Mallika too,” Vikram signs off.
People are going to flip out after hearing Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba-Chris Pratt
8:02 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 21, 2017)
Bappi Lahiri’s foot-tapping numbers are not just making it to the soundtrack of new Bollywood films, but also seem to have caught the fancy of Hollywood producers. Chris Pratt-starrer Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 features one of the disco king’s classics, Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba (Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, 1980).
In the movie, music left behind in a walkman is Star Lord aka Peter Quill’s way to stay connected to the home and the mother he lost. A curated Awesome Mix Vol B mixtape for Peter featured prominently in part 1 (2014). Now, a mixtape of retro hits from the same era, aptly titled Awesome Mix Vol 2, will be part of the upcoming release. Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba – the India Mash Up has been specially crafted for the Indian audience by curators on home turf. However, it turns out the song remains a promotional number strictly for the desi release.
After hearing the India promotional cut of the song, Pratt told mid-day, “I was amazed. People are going to flip out. I am wondering if it’s too late to put that music [Jhoom Jhoom Jhoom Baba promo song] in [the film], instead of the music [original soundtrack] we played.” The local wing of Disney India has also released a special message ahead of the Hindi promo unit from the Guardians with Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista sending an exclusive hello and callout to India.
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