Chris Pratt under fire for 'insensitive' joke about urging people to vote

Hollywood actor Chris Pratt has come under fire for making an 'insensitive' joke about urging people to vote in the 2020 US election.

The trouble started when the Guardians of the Galaxy star took to his social media accounts to promote the Pixar movie Onward, in which he voiced the character of Barley Lightfoot. In his post on Twitter, the 41-year-old performer irreverently urged his 7.8 million followers to vote for Onward in the People's Choice Awards.

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Pratt stated:

"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. [sic]"

He continued:

"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. [sic]

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A number of social media users took issue with Pratt's seemingly-glib tone, and weren't shy about voicing their displeasure.

For instance, one Twitter-user wrote: "Chris Pratt said the election does not concern me because I am a white privileged man, instead vote for my movie so I can get more awards." Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: "I’m not really sure it’s funny to tell people to vote for your animated movie while the world is how it is. Comes off as privileged and totally tone-deaf."

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However, other people stepped in to defend the actor, stating that Pratt was clearly being ironic with his post, and expressing dismay that his critics couldn't take a joke.

For instance, this Twitter-user stated: "What Chris Pratt said is legitimately funny, y’all are just easily angered," while another chimed in: "Not sure why people are giving you stick about this hilarious post, @prattprattpratt. People are way too serious nowadays, I suppose. [sic]"

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Pratt has not officially endorsed a party in the upcoming election. But in a 2017 interview with Men's Fitness, he expressed a bipartisan viewpoint, stating:

"I really feel there’s common ground out there that’s missed because we focus on the things that separate us. You’re either the red state or the blue state, the left or the right. Not everything is politics. And maybe that’s something I’d want to help bridge, because I don’t feel represented by either side."

Pratt and his spouse, Katherine Schwarzenegger, have also recently had a baby daughter together, whose name they revealed in an emotional post back in August.