In a whirlwind of online controversy, Hollywood star Chris Pratt, best known for his roles as Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Owen Grady in Jurassic World, has found himself at the center of a social media storm. The uproar stems from a post Pratt shared on X on September 10, 2025, offering prayers for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The post, which expressed sympathy for Kirk’s family and called for divine grace, sparked a polarized reaction, with some fans praising Pratt’s compassion and others demanding his removal from major franchises like the MCU and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. As the debate rages on, the incident highlights the fraught intersection of celebrity, politics, and social media in an increasingly divided cultural landscape. Here’s a deep dive into the controversy, the events leading up to it, and what it means for Pratt’s career.
The Charlie Kirk Tragedy and Pratt’s Response
On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent right-wing activist, was shot in the neck while addressing a crowd of approximately 3,000 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The incident, described as a targeted political assassination, sent shockwaves through the conservative movement and sparked national conversations about political violence. Kirk, a close ally of President Donald Trump, succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children. A 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, was arrested 33 hours later, but the motive remains under investigation, intensifying debates about polarization and free speech.
Hours after the news broke, Chris Pratt took to X to share a brief message: “Praying for Charlie Kirk right now, for his wife and young children, for our country. We need God’s grace. God help us.” The post, rooted in Pratt’s well-documented Christian faith, was intended as a gesture of condolence. Pratt’s wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, also responded by reposting a statement from her mother, Maria Shriver, condemning the shooting as a “violent act of hate” that all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, should denounce. Other celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jimmy Kimmel, Piers Morgan, and Candace Cameron Bure, also shared tributes, reflecting a broad spectrum of Hollywood voices mourning Kirk’s death.
However, Pratt’s post quickly became a lightning rod for criticism. Within hours, it amassed over 7,000 comments, with a significant portion accusing the actor of selective empathy and aligning with Kirk’s controversial political views. Kirk, known for his outspoken stance on issues like gun rights and his criticism of progressive policies, had been a divisive figure, making Pratt’s expression of sympathy a flashpoint for online outrage. The backlash escalated when Pratt posted a follow-up video on Instagram on September 14, inviting fans to pray with him. Quoting Psalm 46:10—“Be still, and know that I am God”—and Isaiah 26:3, Pratt urged viewers to “turn your phone off and go outside” to find peace and help others. Critics pounced, mocking Pratt for appearing to squint while reading the prayer, accusing him of “pretending” to pray by reading from his phone.
The Backlash and Calls for Cancellation
The online reaction to Pratt’s posts was swift and polarized. Some users praised his compassion, with comments like “Thank you for that! Phone is hitting the table now” and defenses arguing that expressing sympathy for a murdered man’s family shouldn’t be controversial. Others, however, saw Pratt’s tribute as an endorsement of Kirk’s far-right ideology. Social media posts highlighted Kirk’s past statements, such as his claim that gun deaths were an “unfortunate” cost of Second Amendment rights, to question why Pratt chose to mourn him but remained silent on other tragedies, like the June 2025 assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, or recent school shootings in Colorado and Denver. One user wrote, “Where was Chris Pratt when Charlie Kirk was saying this? Charlie was even talking about mass school shootings where children died btw…. Where was his ‘God Help Us’ then?”
The criticism took a harsher turn as some fans called for Pratt to be “fired” from his high-profile roles. On X, hashtags like #CancelChrisPratt and #FirePratt trended briefly, with users like @wandasattorney posting, “Praying for you to get f*****g fired from Marvel,” a comment that garnered 57,000 likes. Another user, @Dav3Shanahan, vowed to boycott Pratt’s projects, using a GIF of the actor from Parks and Recreation to mock his post. The timing of the controversy, coinciding with the September 12 announcement of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (set for release on April 3, 2026), where Pratt voices Mario, added fuel to the fire. Some fans sarcastically remarked, “Bad timing, dude,” while others jokingly dedicated the film to Kirk.
Pratt’s perceived political leanings amplified the backlash. Though he has never publicly endorsed a political candidate, his ties to a conservative church and his absence from a 2020 Joe Biden fundraiser attended by MCU co-stars like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Mark Ruffalo have long fueled speculation that he leans right-wing. His recent praise for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Health Secretary and a member of his wife’s extended family, further stoked perceptions of his alignment with conservative figures. Critics contrasted Pratt’s actions with those of Mark Ruffalo, who has been vocal about supporting Palestine, with one user noting, “Chris Pratt is tweeting his support for Charlie Kirk while Mark Ruffalo is tweeting links to support Palestine. Are we still going to question who the big fight on the Avengers set was between?”
Supporters Rally Behind Pratt
Despite the vocal criticism, Pratt has not been without defenders. Many fans and commentators argued that his post was a simple expression of human compassion, not a political statement. One user wrote, “The left is trying to cancel Chris Pratt because he prayed for Charlie Kirk. Unreal. This isn’t even close to beginning,” while another defended him, saying, “Guess I’m a Chris Pratt fan now, who knew that such a seemingly innocuous statement praying for a murdered man’s family turned out to be an act of rebellion.” Supporters pointed out the hypocrisy of attacking Pratt for offering condolences while ignoring similar tributes from figures like Jimmy Kimmel and Rosie O’Donnell, who also mourned Kirk without facing significant backlash.
The controversy also sparked broader discussions about cancel culture and the expectations placed on celebrities. Some argued that Pratt’s call to prayer was unfairly scrutinized, with one Reddit user on r/GGdiscussion noting, “Holy whataboutism Batman—can’t a guy express condolences without having to address every other tragedy he may or may not know about?” Others criticized the selective outrage, pointing out that at least 15 individuals faced job suspensions or firings for celebrating Kirk’s death online, yet Pratt’s prayer for his family drew disproportionate ire. Pratt’s supporters emphasized his right to express his faith, especially in light of his consistent openness about his Christianity, which has previously drawn mockery, as seen in a 2020 incident when his religious beliefs were targeted online.
The Bigger Picture: Polarization and Celebrity Culture
The Now You See Me: Now You Don’t franchise, set to release on November 14, 2025, has not been directly tied to the controversy, but Pratt’s involvement in high-profile projects makes the timing notable. The film, the final chapter in the Now You See Me trilogy, features Pratt in a supporting role as a tech billionaire who aids the Four Horsemen in their biggest heist yet—a diamond theft from a crime syndicate. Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the movie stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Dave Franco, with Pratt’s character adding a new dynamic to the ensemble. While the film’s promotional campaign has not referenced the backlash, the controversy could cast a shadow over Pratt’s visibility as the release approaches.
The incident underscores the challenges celebrities face in navigating a polarized cultural landscape. Pratt’s decision to post a prayer video rather than directly address the criticism reflects his approach to past controversies—focusing on positivity and faith rather than engaging with detractors. Industry analysts suggest that the calls for his removal from Marvel or Universal projects are unlikely to gain traction, given Pratt’s proven box office draw and established fanbase. His roles in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Super Mario Bros. Movie have grossed over $1.2 billion combined, making him a valuable asset to studios. The lack of response from Marvel Studios or Universal Pictures further indicates that the online outrage may not translate to professional consequences.
Why This Controversy Matters
The backlash against Chris Pratt reveals the deep divisions in how public figures are expected to respond to tragedy. For some, his prayer for Charlie Kirk’s family was a genuine expression of empathy; for others, it was a selective endorsement of a polarizing figure. The incident highlights the pressure on celebrities to align their public statements with the expectations of their audience, particularly in an era where social media amplifies every word. Pratt’s refusal to back down, instead doubling down with a prayer video, speaks to his commitment to his faith, even at the risk of alienating a portion of his fanbase.
As Now You See Me: Now You Don’t prepares to hit theaters, the controversy serves as a reminder of the tightrope celebrities walk in expressing personal beliefs. Whether Pratt’s career will face lasting repercussions remains to be seen, but the debate over his actions underscores a broader truth: in today’s world, even a prayer can become a battlefield. With the film’s release just weeks away, fans will soon see Pratt on the big screen, pulling off illusions in a world of magic and heists—perhaps a fitting metaphor for navigating the illusions of public perception in Hollywood.
