Hollywood actor Chris Pratt, widely known for his role as Star-Lord in "Guardians of the Galaxy," has faced intense online backlash after posting a prayer on X (formerly Twitter) for right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed. The controversy has since extended to the announcement of the sequel to his latest animated film, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," fueling ongoing public debate. 
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, during a speaking event at a university in Utah, attended by approximately 3,000 people.
On the day of the incident, Pratt posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Praying for Charlie Kirk, his wife and young children, and for our nation. We need God's grace. God help us." According to multiple foreign media reports, 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson was arrested on September 12.
Pratt's post accumulated over 7,000 comments in just two days, with many users criticizing his choice to publicly pray for a controversial figure. User @Dav3Shanahan commented that they knew he liked Kirk and would continue to boycott his work. Another user even stated that they hoped he would be fired by Marvel, a reply that garnered over 57,000 likes.
Furthermore, some questioned why Pratt did not speak out for victims of a Colorado high school shooting that occurred on the same day or other victims, pointing out Kirk's history of extreme remarks and suggesting Pratt's choice was biased. 
Amidst the escalating controversy, Nintendo and Illumination also announced on September 12, 2025, that the sequel to the 2023 animated film "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" would be titled "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," slated for release on April 3, 2026. Pratt is set to reprise his role as the voice of Mario.
However, this announcement was also met with sarcasm on X. Some users commented that the timing was really bad, while others sarcastically replied that it was dedicated to Charlie Kirk.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Pratt faces not only strong criticism from the fan community but also sees what should have been a celebratory moment for a new film announcement overshadowed. It remains to be seen whether the incident will affect his future endeavors in the Marvel and animation spheres.