Hollywood actor Chris Pratt, best for playing Peter Quill / Star-Lord in Marvel Studios' Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films, was recently named "Hollywood's worst Chris" in a poll by a writer which also included Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pine. Many who took part in the poll began trolling Pratt for his involvement in a conservative church, which actress Ellen Page last year described as being "infamously anti-LGBTQ". The 41-year-old Pratt, also known for playing the character Owen Grady in the Jurassic World films, has been a subject of hot discussion among fans after a joke he recently made while sharing a movie poster of his animated film Onward on Instagram on October 2. 

In his Instagram post, Chris Pratt said, "With all that’s going on in the world it is more important than ever that you vote. Just ask any celebrity. They will tell you. Every day. Several times a day. To vote. But me? I will tell you EXACTLY who to vote for. #onward The heroes before us did not spill their blood only to have their sacrifices wasted by your apathy. The upcoming 2020 People’s Choice Awards is the most consequential vote in the history of mankind times a million infinity. Vote for #Onward for family movie of the year. Or else. You WILL die. No hyperbole. Click the link in my bio. Let your voice be heard." He was criticized for his post with many calling it "insensitive" as the U.S. Presidential election was nearing. A number of people have also claimed that Pratt is secretly a supporter of US President Donald Trump. 

As Pratt's statements have evoked a wide range of negative reactions including online attacks, several of his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) co-stars came to the forefront and expressed their support for the actor. Among the A-list actors who stepped up were Robert Downey Jr., known for playing Tony Stark / Iron Man, who in an Instagram post wrote, "What a world... The “sinless” are casting stones at my #brother, Chris Pratt... A real #Christian who lives by #principle, has never demonstrated anything but #positivity and #gratitude... AND he just married into a family that makes space for civil discourse and (just plain fact) INSISTS on service as the highest value. If you take issue with Chris,,, I’ve got a novel idea. Delete your social media accounts, sit with your OWN defects of #character, work on THEM, then celebrate your humanness... @prattprattpratt I #gotyerbackbackback".

Likewise, actor Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner / The Hulk urged on Twitter to his critics to leave Pratt alone and instead try to focus on the US Presidential election due to take place on November 3. He tweeted, "You all, @prattprattpratt is as solid a man there is. I know him personally, and instead of casting aspersions, look at how he lives his life. He is just not overtly political as a rule. This is a distraction. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize, friends. We are so close now."

Zoe Saldana, who plays Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and is Pratt's co-star, tweeted too in defense of the actor. "No matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep your head up and handle it. -Tupac You got this @prattprattpratt . Your family, friends, colleagues & everyone who’s ever crossed paths with you knows your heart and your worth!" 

Josh Brolin, who appeared as the dreaded Thanos in a majority of the Marvel Studios films, including playing the big baddie in last year's global blockbuster, Avengers: Endgame, too defended Pratt via an Instagram post. He wrote, "I just found out there is another good person to hate on. Chris Pratt. I met him years ago as he was taking over an apartment I was renting. He was bigger then, and he was really really kind. Then I worked with him. Again, he was truly kind: a stand up dude, negativity always questioned and positivity and honor was typically at the forefront. But, as I was looking around to find someone else to hate on during this rising domestic and global hate hand job that we are learning to give, I heard he was available. So Fuck You, Chris Pratt!!! (Next victim step forward!!!!!!)"

Filmmaker James Gunn, who directed Pratt’s two Guardians of the Galaxy movies, as well responded to the criticism. He tweeted, "Sorry. Just finding out about this nonsense. @prattprattpratt is the best dude in the world. I’ve spent hours & hours sharing my deepest truths with this man, as he has with me. Please stop assuming what he believes, politically or in any other way, because he’s a Christian."

Pratt’s wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, meanwhile, lashed out against an online outlet for adding fuel to the fire via a negative social media story. "Is this really what we need? There’s so much going on in the world and people struggling in so many ways. Being mean is so yesterday. There’s enough room to love all these guys. Love is what we all need not meanness and bullying. Let’s try that," she wrote in the comments section of the outlet’s Instagram page.