Reflections on Stardom in the 21st Century

Chris Pratt’s 2016 may wind up being one of the most pivotal moments in the history of movie stardom, both as an idea and an ideal. Pratt came to public attention playing Andy Dwyer, the doughy and dopey but kindhearted comic relief on NBC’s little-watched but critically beloved show Parks and Recreation. And then something happened. In the space of two years, he became one of the biggest movie stars in the world. He did lead voice work in The Lego Movie, which made half a billion dollars. Then he was unexpectedly cast as a comic and romantic action hero in the Marvel movie Guardians of the Galaxy, which made more than $750 million in 2014. He followed these massive hits with Jurassic World, which shocked observers by grossing nearly $1.7 billion worldwide.