Chris Pratt Is A ‘Cowboy Ninja Viking’ [UPDATED]
Thought the Guardians of the Galaxy were an odd bunch?Chris Pratt’s next comic book adaptation could be even weirder. He’s reportedly attached to lead Universal’sCowboy Ninja Viking, about an assassin whose multiple personality disorder gives him the attributes of three warrior archetypes: the cowboy, the ninja, and the viking.
Hit the jump for more on the possible Chris PrattCowboy Ninja Vikingcasting.
UPDATE: Pratt confirmed he’s in the movie on Twitter:
“@jbkelly80:@prattprattpratthttp://t.co/lNR1NYxT56” YES! But who is our director? That is the question. Who do u think it should be?
— Chris Pratt (@prattprattpratt)July 13, 2025
Colliderreports Pratt would be playing Duncan, the protagonist ofCowboy Viking Ninja. Duncan is part of an experimental government program that transforms multiple personality disorder patients into “triplets” — lethal operatives with three distinct personas, each with his or her own set of skills. He eventually escapes and tries to track down the billionaire behind the program.
According toCollider, the latest draft of the script has the Cowboy, the Ninja, and the Viking played by three different people, though all of them look like Duncan (that is, Pratt) to onlookers. But that’s the kind of detail that could still change as the film continues to develop.
Cowboy Ninja Vikinghas been in the works for a few years already. The first issue ofA.J. LiebermanandRiley Rossmo’s comic was published in 2009, andZombielandscribesPaul WernickandRhett Reesebegan working on the screenplay adaptation in 2010. Originally the project was set up at Disney, but the studio eventually deemed it too edgy so Universal scooped it up.Marc Forsterwas set to direct in 2012 but has since dropped out.
As of now,Cowboy Ninja Vikinghas no director. But getting a big star like Pratt on board is definitely a big step forward, and he does seem like the perfect fit for the job. He has the right kind of charisma to sell this bizarre premise, and he can move between comedy, drama, and action without missing a beat. Really, the very phrase “Cowboy Ninja Viking” sounds like Andy Dwyer’s dream job. Or maybe even Star-Lord’s.
Pratt had a huge 2014 thanks to the one-two punch ofThe Lego MovieandGuardians of the Galaxy, and is only slated to get bigger next year withJurassic World. Additionally, he’ll reprise his role as Andy Dwyer for one last season of NBC’sParks and Recreation, which premieres off early next year. But sinceJurassic Worldis already done shooting andParks and Recreationonly has a few episodes left to film, Pratt’s schedule is actually pretty open right now.
