By Michaela Gordoni
Chris Pratt’s latest movie, WAY OF THE WARRIOR KID, is underway.
In the Apple original movie, Pratt stars as a Navy SEAL, Uncle Jake, whose nephew, Marc, wants to learn to defend himself from bullies. He teaches him how to embrace courage, and Jake learns some lessons of his own along the way, Mashable reported.
It’s based off of former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink’s book of the same name and is directed by McG. It stars Ava Torres, Levi McConaughey, Darien Sills-Evans, Parker Young, Carl McDowell, Linda Cardenelli and Jude Hill.
The book’s synopsis reads, “Fifth grade was the worst year of Marc’s life. He stunk at gym class, math was too hard for him, the school lunch was horrible, and his class field trip was ruined because he couldn’t swim…When Marc’s mother tells him that his Uncle Jake is coming to stay for the whole summer, Marc can’t wait. Uncle Jake is a for real, super-cool Navy SEAL. And Uncle Jake has a plan. He’s going to turn Marc into a warrior.”
Related: Chris Pratt Wants to ‘Shape Today’s Youth’ with Upcoming WAY OF THE WARRIOR KID
Producers include Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger; McG and Mary Viola for Wonderland Sound; Pratt for Indivisible Productions; Ben Everard for Everard Entertainment; Bruce Wayne Gillies and Willink. Will Staples adapted the screenplay and serves as an executive producer along with Steven Bello and Cliff Lanning, Deadline reported.
The movie releases on Apple TV on Nov. 20, ahead of Thanksgiving.
On Tuesday, Willink recalled why he wrote the book.
“I was always on the hunt for books for my kids but I couldn’t find anything that conveyed the principles that I wanted them to have, so I wrote my own books,” he said. “Luckily for me, the books were very successful.”
Pratt described WAY OF THE WARRIOR KID as “this generation’s KARATE KID, with an inspiring message that we can all connect to if you’ve ever felt weak or bullied or unsure of where your life is going, or in need of leadership, or in need of a mentor.”
“I’ve known Jocko Willink for a couple of years, so I was eager to read the script based on his series of children’s books,” Pratt said last year. “I believe in the power of storytelling and felt particularly called to the material.”
Pratt hopes the movie will inspire kids and give them courage.
“Our young people need this movie,” he said. “This is the kind of movie that can define a generation, like KARATE KID or ROCKY. As a dad, this is the kind of movie I want to show my kids. So, with the help of an incredible creative team and the right partner, we’re gonna make it.”
So far, it looks like WAY OF THE WARRIOR KID should be a hit.
Read Next: Former Navy SEAL Cade Courtley Says Hollywood Suppressed of His ‘True Core Values’
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +1Share:
– Content: +1