Chris Pratt stars in ‘The Way of the Boy Warrior’

Advance:

• Chris Pratt will star in and produce ‘Way of the Warrior Kid’.
• McG is on board to direct the film.
• The film will seek distribution at the Cannes Market.

Outside of his work on Amazon series, Chris Pratt may still be looking to prove that he can carry out projects beyond his work at Marvel and other franchises. ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ was certainly a huge hit last year, although it was more due to video game nostalgia than its name. And it will be more heard than seen in the upcoming ‘The Garfield Movie’, which centers on the comic book cat brought to computer-generated life on screens.

According to deadline, is part of a new package of films looking to find success (specifically, a buyer) at this year’s Cannes Market. Pratt will star in ‘Way of the Warrior Kid,’ which will adapt the book by retired Navy SEAL Jock Willink.

With McG on board to direct, the new film looks to target audiences who want a story of youth empowerment without a fantasy angle.

Willink drew on his experiences and training to write the book about Marc, a self-doubting boy who is bullied and has difficulty completing a single pull-up. That is until his uncle Jake, an elite Navy SEAL, is injured on a mission and moves in with his sister for rehab. When he discovers that his 11-year-old nephew Marc is struggling academically, socially, and physically, Jake takes on a new mission: using his SEAL Team training over three summer months to help the young man find his inner warrior.

Here’s what Willink says about the book, which has since spawned several sequels and spin-offs, including products:

“I spent my adult life in the military. I was in the SEAL teams, deployed all over the place, moved up the chain of command, and was lucky to have had a blessed career. During all that time, I also had a wife and four children. I wanted to read books to them and I would go to the store or the library and I just couldn’t find any that I liked. The last straw was a pirated book. And it was full of the weakest, most pathetic pirates I have ever heard of in my life.”

Who is doing ‘The Way of the Warrior Boy’?

In addition to Pratt and McG, the project has ‘Without Remorse’ screenwriter Will Staples writing the script, which UTA Independent Film Group and FilmNation will release in France.

Here’s what Pratt had to say about the project:

“Will Staples’ script is incredible. I’ve known Jocko Willink for a couple of years, so I was eager to read the script based on his children’s book series. I believe in the power of storytelling and felt particularly drawn to the material. I have faith that this film will help shape the youth of today, putting them on the right path. Our young people need this film and I hope this story helps bridge the growing divide and inspires the next generation to learn valuable lessons about discipline, self-reliance, strength and compassion. These are the kind of movies that can define a generation, like ‘Karate Kid’ or ‘Rocky’. 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 will get there.”

When will ‘The Way of the Warrior Boy’ hit theaters?

With no distributor attached as of yet, there’s no word on whether it will hit theaters, let alone a release date. But given Pratt’s star power and the trust-building kids angle (which will appeal to a large audience), we’d expect this to move forward before too long.

Other McG films:

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