Actor Chris Pratt and the other star of "The Garfield Movie" are seen in this screenshot from a promotional video posted to social media. Pratt took time out for an online talk with service members and their families on May 23, 2024. The 30-minute video call was hosted by the USO. (X/The Garfield Movie/Sony Pictures)
Actor Chris Pratt was the cat’s meow this week for American service members and their families in dozens of locations worldwide, taking part in a USO video call to promote “The Garfield Movie,” which opened Friday.
On Thursday, Pratt brought humor and Hollywood insight to the USO audience. He is the voice of the fat and famous feline of the movie title, and he stars alongside Samuel L. Jackson, who voices Garfield’s estranged father, an alley cat named Vic.
The 30-minute call went live to two locations in Italy and one in Germany but was seen by an audience throughout the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere.
“I had a heck of a time making it,” Pratt said. “It’s sweet, it’s funny, it’s unexpected because Garfield is this pampered indoor cat, but he’s taking on this wild outdoor adventure.”
Service members and their families had a live discussion with actor and producer Chris Pratt, star of "The Garfield Movie," on May 23, 2024, hosted by the USO. (USO/John Russo)
From Naval Air Station Sigonella on the Italian island of Sicily, a 12-year-old girl asked Pratt’s advice for becoming an actor. Practice makes perfect, he replied.
“Don’t get too nervous if the first few times you try acting it makes you nervous,” he said. “Watch lots of movies and watch lots of plays. Get a lot of understanding about who you are and what you bring as an actor because there’s something special and unique about every person,” Pratt said.
A girl named Simona touched on something many military families feel acutely when she asked Pratt about the longest he’s ever been away from home while filming.
During the coronavirus pandemic, while filming “Jurassic World Dominion,” Pratt was in London for about three-and-a-half months. His now 3-year-old daughter had just been born, and he said he saw her for the first two weeks of her life then had to leave.
In Vicenza, Italy, specialist combat medic Josh Kozak asked how Pratt brought his spirit to the role of Garfield.
“All I ate was lasagna all day long, and boy, I just can’t get enough,” Pratt joked.
More seriously, he said he adjusted his voice to have more of a yawn in it in the beginning of the movie, adding that he shifted to a more energetic vocalization as Garfield sets out on his adventure.
Service members and their families tune in from Naval Air Station Sigonella, in Sicily, on May 23, 2024 to ask Pratt questions and get a sneak peek of the new “Garfield” movie.” (USO Sigonella)
He also ad libs a bit on the script, adding colloquialisms to some of his lines to make them his own.
Summarizing the plot of “The Garfield Movie,” IMDB says that after Garfield’s unexpected reunion with his father, he and his friend Odie the dog “are forced from their perfectly pampered lives to join Vic on a risky heist.”
The trailer for the movie can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeFWNtMo1Fs
In Stuttgart, Germany, viewers had a large orange cat on site in honor of the event, which they showed off to Pratt. A person there asked what Pratt likes most about voice acting.
“I have young kids. I love being in movies they can watch and enjoy,” he said. “And when I do voice acting I’m close to home. I don’t have to go on location. I can sleep in my own bed at night.”
Bearing that in mind, Pratt was quick to thank the service members, who don’t always get that luxury.
“I’m out here living my dream, and I know that’s possible because you’re out there to defend my freedoms,” he said. “I’m praying for your safety and health, and the health and well-being of your families.”
