Actor Chris Pratt talks aliens, animation and ‘The Tomorrow War’
Amazon Prime’s “The Tomorrow War” had a record-setting opening weekend, according to an Amazon press release which placed it at
No. 1 on streaming platforms in the United States and with worldwide highs in nine other countries.
According to Variety, negotiations over a potential sequel are already in progress. While it was originally set to open in theaters, the pandemic prompted production company Skydance to sell the film to Amazon for digital release.
“A lot of us now have our home tricked out for a great video and audio experience,” said co-star J.K.
Simmons, of the at home viewing experience. “Turn off all the lights when you’re watching it, and every aspect of this movie I think is going to blow people away.”
The film stars Pratt as Dan Forester Jr., an ex-military teacher who is drafted into a war when time travelers arrive to warn humanity of an alien invasion that takes place in the future.
“This is original IP. That’s cool,” said Pratt. “It’s not based on a comic book or a chain restaurant or a pair of shoes or whatever. It’s just an original story.”
It also marks a series of firsts for its production team. Pratt steps up as executive producer for his first feature film, having previously only produced documentaries.
“The title of executive producer can be meaningless, or it can mean a lot depending on how much responsibility a person is going to take on moving into that role,” Pratt said.
And making a debut alongside Pratt, this marked the first foray into the world of live action film for veteran animator Chris McKay.
“You look at his resume and you go, ‘Wow this guy hasn’t done a lot of big live action movies.’ But he was awesome and so prepared,” Simmons said.
“A film like this requires extensive previsualization animatic shots to set up these action sequences so you can get it done on time and on budget. He did a great job with that,” Pratt added, having previously collaborated with McKay on “The LEGO Movie.”
“The Tomorrow War” blends blockbuster action with an emotional home drama, with J.K. Simmons and Betty Gilpin playing the main characters’ estranged father and supportive wife, worried that Dan is not the man she knows he can be.
“It feels like the big shiny action movie is sort of evolving,” Gilpin said. “It feels heartbreaking and hilarious … and then suddenly you’re thinking about your own life.”