Fresh off the runaway success of Guardians of the Galaxy , Chris Pratt looks to be doing his best to cement himself in a new role: America’s male sweetheart. The Guardians star most recently popped into a children’s hospital – dressed up as Star-Lord, of course – to spread cheer and entertain the young patients there.
The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles posted a pic thanking Pratt for dropping by on Wednesday to cheer up the sick kids, their families, and hospital staff. E! reports that Pratt initially arrived in regular dress. Pratt visited the hospital as part of a special screening of Guardians of the Galaxy for the patients.
While the movie played, though, Pratt snuck out and returned dressed as Peter Quill, the Star-Lord.
The children were, of course, delighted at Pratt’s antics, and Chris spent more than three hours in full costume interacting with patients and handing out movie-themed toys. The children in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit, and Pediatric ICU were too sick to attend the screening, so Pratt visited them separately and entertained.
E! notes that Pratt spent a bit of extra time with Dylan Prunty, a huge Lego fan, who recognized Pratt’s voice from The Lego Movie . For about 10 minutes, Pratt and Prunty reenacted different scenes from the film.
We’ll give you a second to go find a tissue.
Pratt took hundreds of photos with the Children’s Hospital patients and handed out tons of movie-themed items. Chris also spent a bit of time signing autographs for everyone there, and he even let some of the kids try on his Star-Lord gear.
Star Lord ( @prattprattpratt ) cheered up our patients by sharing #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy ! Thanks for making them smile! pic.twitter.com/kVsZIToZ73
— Children’s Hosp LA (@ChildrensLA) August 21, 2014
When it was all done, the Children’s Hospital tweeted out a photo of Pratt posing with one young fan who was wearing the Star-Lord jacket. “Thanks for making them smile!” the hospital tweeted.
Pratt’s star has been on the rise for a while now, with both The Lego Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy going on to become big hits. He’s gone from lovable oaf on Parks and Rec to big-time action star with what may turn out to be the biggest movie of the year.
Pratt’s even become something of a sex symbol following a massive transformation for the Guardians role that saw him shedding a bunch of weight and revealing a buff physique . Next up for Pratt will be a turn in the Jurassic Park revival, Jurassic World . After that, who knows? Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is virtually guaranteed, but some are even saying Pratt should step into Harrison Ford’s shoes as the next Indiana Jones.
He’d certainly be better than Shia Labeouf.