Chris Pratt, widely recognized for his leading roles in major films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, has actively pursued a diverse range of characters throughout his career. From comedic roles in Parks and Recreation to intense thrillers like The Terminal List and his recent film Mercy, Pratt has aimed to diversify his acting portfolio. While many of his roles have gravitated towards the archetype of a gritty law-enforcement or military officer, his upcoming project, Way of the Warrior Kid, presents a fresh yet familiar challenge, allowing him to balance the tough demeanor of a Navy SEAL with the tender side of a caring uncle.

This upcoming drama film draws parallels to the 1984 cult classic The Karate Kid, where a bullied young man finds a mentor to help him confront his challenges. In Way of the Warrior Kid, the narrative centers on Marc (played by Jude Hill), a middle schooler enduring a nightmarish experience marked by bullying, poor academic performance, struggles in physical education, and an inability to form friendships. His life takes a significant turn when his uncle Jake (Chris Pratt) comes to spend the summer with Marc and his mother, Sarah (Linda Cardellini).

The film's title, Way of the Warrior Kid, refers to a strategy devised by Uncle Jake to assist his nephew. As a decorated Navy SEAL, Jake leverages his extensive training to initiate 'Operation Warrior Kid,' an endeavor designed to help Marc overcome his current difficulties. Unlike Mr. Miyagi's 'wax on, wax off' approach, Jake's method does not involve teaching Marc how to fight. Instead, the film's description reveals that Jake 'shows Marc what real courage is, facing down his own demons along the way,' focusing on inner strength and resilience rather than physical combat.

Way of the Warrior Kid was directed by McG, with a script penned by Will Staples, based on Jocko Willink's book. The film is set to debut on Apple TV on Friday, November 20, 2026. This project is one of several notable ventures for Pratt in recent years.

Chris Pratt has had a busy and successful period, with this year featuring two significant movie releases. His sci-fi cyberpunk film Mercy, co-starring Rebecca Ferguson, reportedly underperformed in theaters but achieved strong streaming numbers on Prime Video and MGM+. Concurrently, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has emerged as a massive success, tracking $1 billion in earnings, making it the first movie of 2026 to reach this milestone.

In addition to his film projects, Pratt is also making a return to television with the second season of his acclaimed Prime Video thriller, The Terminal List. The second season is scheduled to premiere on October 21, 2026. The Terminal List, a TV-MA rated drama, action, and thriller series, first premiered on June 30, 2022. It is showrun by David DiGilio, with directing credits including Fred Toye, Sylvain White, Antoine Fuqua, Ellen Kuras, and M.J. Bassett. The series, created by Jack Carr and David DiGilio, features Chris Pratt as James Reece and Jeanne Tripplehorn as Secretary Hartley, among its cast.