Chris Pratt stars as Keats in the new Netflix sci-fi action movie “The Electric State.”
Synopsis of ‘The Electric State’
The synopsis is: Set in a retro-futuristic past, this blockbuster adventure from filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo follows Michelle (played by Millie Bobby Brown), an orphaned teenager who traverses the American West in search of her younger brother.
Joining her on the journey is a sweet but mysterious robot and an eccentric drifter (Chris Pratt).
The film also stars Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Norman, Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci.
Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Hank Azaria, Colman Domingo and Alan Tudyk join the cast in voice roles.
“The Electric State” premiered globally on Netflix on Friday, March 14th.
Pratt on what drew him to ‘The Electric State’
On what drew him to “The Electric State,” Pratt remarked, “It was one of the best scripts I’ve ever read. It was based on an original IP, but it was wildly original, and inventive, and so, so beautiful.”
“So, to be able to join something like this and work with the Russo brothers again, and to work with Millie — of whom I’ve been a huge fan — was one of those things that didn’t feel like work,” Pratt explained.
Pratt on reuniting with The Russo brothers
Pratt discussed reuniting with directors Joe and Anthony Russo (The Russos).
“Making a film with the Russos feels like a family affair because it is a family affair for them,” Pratt said. “You’ve got two brothers, all these other members of AGBO, who are like their family, and a crew that they’ve worked with many times before.”
Pratt continued, “So it’s a family, but also kind of like a circus or a summer camp, you know? You’re put into the crucible of a collaborative creative process where you’re grinding out 15-hour days, and it accelerates the bond-building with everyone.”
“You make relationships just like in a summer camp — at the end of it, you think, I’m never going to forget this,” he acknowledged.
“This was the greatest summer of my life,” he admitted. “We’re best friends forever. Then, you go back to your life and it feels a little bit like a dream. And when you see everyone on the press tour, you pick up right where you left off.”
“It’s a really magnificent thing. It’s the nature of filmmaking, but it’s especially the nature of filmmaking with the Russos. They set the tone,” he added.
Pratt on Keat’s banter and chemistry with Herman
Pratt opened up about Keats’ banter and chemistry with Herman. “Anthony Mackie voices Herman beautifully throughout the course of the film, but laying down the tracks for the voice is part of the post-production process,” he said.
“During production a lot of the banter between Keats and Herman was a combination of riffing with Joe Russo and Marty, the mo-cap actor behind Herman. Marty’s this wise-cracking dude who I worked with previously on Jurassic World,” he said.
“He’s absolutely hilarious and I love him dearly. Oftentimes, our back and forth was born out of lines fed to him by Joe, who actually has a background in acting and improv to where he can really spar comedically,” Pratt elaborated.
“So, a lot of the banter in our scenes came from Joe saying crazy stuff and it turning into something that wasn’t on the page. It was absolute freaking chaos,” he added.
Pratt on his inspiration for his character Keats
On the inspiration behind his character Keats, Pratt stated, “The process of building out Keats was not all that dissimilar to when I was doing Guardians of the Galaxy and creating Peter Quill who would’ve been born the same year as myself.”
“With Keats, I was able to mine many of the pop culture references of my own childhood and I based him loosely on a guy named Kenny who was my neighbor growing up,” he said.
“He was this dude who had long blonde hair and used to jam on his guitar, jumping on a mini trampoline in zebra-striped stretch pants like David Lee Roth. He was way too old to be friends with kids, but he’d take us out and we’d have water balloon fights — he was the coolest dude in the world,” he elaborated.
“So, when I was building Keats, I was definitely basing a lot of him on my memories,” he added.
Closing thoughts on ‘The Electric State’
In a post on social media, Pratt exclaimed, “So proud of this incredible movie. Thanks to the Russo’s, Millie and the whole crew! This is a one of a kind, TRULY ORIGINAL, visual spectacle. Moving, funny, poignant. See for yourself! Had a blast making it and just as much fun watching it!”
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