Actor Chris Pratt has literally become Marvel’s newest marvel thanks to the "Guardians of the Galaxy" film, which grossed $94 million domestically in its debut last weekend — the best-ever August launch of a sci-fi spectacle that wasn’t about an established superhero or a big-budget disaster thriller. With a $66 million take internationally, "Galaxy" is poised to become a new Marvel franchise.
As Peter Quill, aka Star Lord, Pratt plays the misfit leader of a ragtag band of outlaws — kind of a space cowboy. If you leave logic at the door, you’ll adore this popcorn powerhouse.
Turns out Pratt, 35, has multiple Hawaii ties. He previously lived on Maui where, at 19, he worked at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in Lahaina and slept on the beach between a van and a tent before Hollywood beckoned.
His first film, a modest and virtually unseen "Cursed, Part 3," had Maui ties. Its director was Rae Dawn Chong, daughter of Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong, who was visiting the Valley Isle and asked Pratt if he acted. He eventually earned a role in her movie.
Pratt and wife Anna Faris even had a surprise Maui wedding party/honeymoon in 2009, staying at the Four Seasons in Wailea in the midst of the Maui Film Festival. Faris, now co-starring on CBS’ "Mom" sitcom, had flashed her wedding bling amid the celebrity crowd and the romantic aura of Maui triggered a marriage celebration,though People magazine says they tied the knot in Bali.
Pratt was chunkier (meaning heavier) at the time, since he had yet to undergo the buff-up for "Guardians." Over the years, Pratt has been either fat or fit, depending on his projects.
On NBC’s "Parks and Recreation," he portrays Andy Dwyer; his string of recent films includes "Her," "Moneyball," "Delivery Man," "Zero Dark Thirty" and "The Lego Movie" (voicing Donovan Tims).
Fans adore him as the chiseled, folksy, tongue-in-cheek gladiator Quill, and he’ll retain his demeanor for the sequel, due July 28, 2017. And his fame should rise a few more notches when he plays Owen in the next installment of the "Jurassic Park" franchise. And, psssst, it’s rumored he’ll headline the remake of "Knight Rider." …
NAMES ‘N’ FACES: Frank De Lima‘s on the radar again, with "Closed the Road Again," a song parody co-penned by his composer-lyricist partner Patrick Downes. Set to the tune of Willie Nelson‘s "On the Road Again," it’s a timely spot-on take on the congestion and chaos on our highways and byways — the endless detours, the potholes, the asphalt refacing, the orange cones, the road closures. Hear and download it at www.frankdelima. com for a donation to De Lima’s school visitation fund. …
Belatedbirthday wishes to Eddie Kamae, who celebrated his 87th Tuesday at the Elks Club.He’s had health challenges recently, relying on a wheelchair, but still boasts that classic smile of his. …
ITEMIZATIONS: Spencer Weidie, who is the assistant choreographer for "Hairspray," the musical bowing Sept. 19 at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College, told his mentor, Marcelo Pacleb, that life in Israel is basically OK despite war in the region. Weidie spent three weeks shaping the choreography for the musical and is in the midst of an intensive two-week choreography conferencein Jerusalem. He’ll return to his dance studies in New York City. …
On a recent Saturday night, Richard Natto was doing a solo gig at the Hilton Hawaiian Village just outside the Bali Steak and Seafood restaurant. Turns out the former Society of Seven Las Vegas dude was filling in for a pal, but Natto regularly provides music for singer Jeffrey Apaka at the Hilton’s Tapa Bar on Sundays and continues his reunion gig with Dave Toma (Toma-Natto, remember?) at Nagomi’s. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
