Chris Pratt has two very different stories to tell right now. One takes him back into the dangerous world of military operations and international espionage, while the other brings him into the history of one of Christianity’s most important religious landmarks. During his October 20 appearance on NBC’s TODAY, the actor opened up about both projects, offering a glimpse into his demanding screen roles and his experience working on a documentary connected to Pope Leo XIV.
With The Terminal List Season 2 scheduled to arrive on Prime Video just one day later, Pratt also shared a humorous observation about his approach to action roles. But alongside the physical demands of his acting career, his involvement in a documentary about St. Peter’s Basilica reveals a different side of his recent work.
Chris Pratt Discusses ‘The Terminal List’ Season 2 Ahead of Prime Video Premiere
Pratt’s return as James Reece, a Navy SEAL commander, is one of the main talking points surrounding his latest television project. The first season of The Terminal List debuted on Prime Video in July 2022, and its highly anticipated second chapter is scheduled to premiere on October 21, 2026.
During his TODAY appearance on October 20, Pratt discussed the series as audiences prepared to see Reece embark on another dangerous mission.
Based on the novels by former Navy SEAL Jack Carr, the action thriller continues a story that began with personal loss, revenge and the consequences of military operations. Season 2 draws on True Believer, the second book in Carr’s series, taking the story beyond its original revenge-driven narrative and into international espionage.
At the end of the first season, Reece had pursued the people he believed were responsible for the deaths of his family and fellow team members. The next chapter finds him searching for a new purpose after completing his list, according to Prime Video’s official description.
However, his attempt to move forward leads him into another complicated situation.
Reece becomes involved in a mission connected to the CIA and a resurgent terrorist group. His investigation uncovers a conspiracy stretching from Moscow to Langley, with links to his family’s history. The international scope of the story expands the series beyond the personal vendetta that drove much of the first season.
Another Actor’s Personal Reflections
Celebrity interviews can also explore personal experiences beyond an actor’s current projects. For a separate interview-focused story, read our Danny Glover Alzheimer’s diagnosis interview report.
‘The Terminal List’ Season 2: Release Date, Cast and Story
Here are the key details surrounding the upcoming season.
| Detail | Official information |
| Series | The Terminal List |
| Season | Season 2 |
| Premiere date | October 21, 2026 |
| Streaming platform | Prime Video |
| Lead actor | Chris Pratt |
| Character | James Reece, a Navy SEAL commander |
| Source material | True Believer, the second novel by Jack Carr |
| Episode release | All eight episodes scheduled to premiere together |
| Story direction | An international espionage mission involving the CIA, a resurgent terrorist group and a conspiracy connected to Reece’s family |
The returning cast includes Tom Hopper, Constance Wu, Dar Salim and Luke Hemsworth. New additions include Gabriel Luna, Costa Ronin, Olga Kurylenko, Yul Vazquez, Arnold Vosloo, Martin Sensmeier, Shiraz Tzarfati and Jeremy Bobb.
The production also continues to draw on military expertise to support its portrayal of special operations. Former Navy SEAL Jared Shaw and former Army Ranger Max Adams are among the executive producers involved in the series.
Their experience contributes to the production’s efforts to make the military elements credible, particularly for viewers who have served.
In a separate TODAY interview with Tom Hopper, Pratt explained why that authenticity matters to the team behind the show.
“Behind the camera, we’ve got real Navy SEALs,” Pratt said.
He continued by explaining the production’s broader aim:
“Our whole goal is to make a show that is a love letter to that community, so that the people who have served can watch it and pick up little details. It’s a show made for them,” he added.
These comments came from a separate interview about the series’ production, rather than the October 20 conversation focused on Pratt’s workout routine and meeting Pope Leo XIV. They nevertheless offer insight into the approach behind The Terminal List and its efforts to portray military life with attention to detail.
Chris Pratt Jokes About His Workout Routine and Action Movie Roles
Playing a character like James Reece comes with physical expectations, and Pratt offered a lighthearted comment about that part of his career during his October 20 TODAY appearance.
“I only choose roles that I’m going to have to do push-ups to get in shape.”
The remark captures the physical side of the roles Pratt frequently takes on. In The Terminal List, he portrays a highly trained military operative whose missions involve demanding physical situations and action sequences.
Reece’s background as a Navy SEAL is central to the character. His training and capabilities influence how he moves through dangerous situations, making physical credibility an important part of the performance.
Still, Pratt’s comment should not be mistaken for a detailed account of his personal fitness programme.
The available interview summary does not specify how many days a week he trains, which exercises he performs, how long his sessions last or what his diet involves. Without those details, it would be inaccurate to attribute a particular workout schedule or training strategy to him.
Instead, the push-ups remark offers a humorous glimpse into the expectations associated with the action roles he chooses. Physical preparation can vary depending on a character, the production schedule and the requirements of individual scenes.
As The Terminal List returns for its second season, the demands of playing Reece remain closely tied to the series’ action-driven storytelling. His military background continues to shape the situations he faces, while Pratt’s performance must communicate the physical readiness expected of the character.
But action television is only one part of what has kept the actor busy. His latest documentary project takes him away from fictional missions and into a very different subject: the history of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Chris Pratt Opens Up About Meeting Pope Leo XIV for Vatican Documentary
Alongside his work on The Terminal List, Pratt has become involved in Pétros ení: Discovering the Origins, a documentary exploring St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Necropolis and the archaeological investigations associated with the traditional burial place of St. Peter.
The project was produced by AF Films in collaboration with Vatican Media and the Fabric of St. Peter, the organisation responsible for the basilica’s maintenance and preservation.
Spanish filmmaker Paula Ortiz directed the documentary, while Vatican journalist Andrea Tornielli wrote it. Pratt serves as narrator, guiding viewers through the history of the site and the investigations surrounding St. Peter’s tomb.
The film was created to mark the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter’s Basilica, which took place on November 18, 1626.
Its special preview screening was held at the Rome Film Festival on October 16, 2026. Pope Leo XIV appears in the documentary’s final scenes, reflecting on St. Peter and the significance of his tomb beneath the basilica.
Pratt’s participation brought him into a production developed in collaboration with the Vatican. When the project was announced, he described the opportunity as an honour.
“It is an extraordinary honor,” Pratt said, “to partner with Pope Leo and the Vatican on this project. St. Peter’s story is foundational to the Christian faith, and I’m deeply grateful for the trust and access granted to help bring his legacy to the screen.”
The October 20 TODAY interview summary confirms that Pratt discussed meeting Pope Leo XIV while working on the documentary. However, it does not provide a complete transcript of their conversation or a detailed account of the meeting.
For that reason, specific anecdotes about what the actor and the pope discussed should not be presented as established facts without further documentation.
What is clear is that the documentary represents a different kind of screen project for Pratt. Rather than portraying a fictional military commander, he narrates a historical exploration combining archaeological research, religious tradition and the story of a landmark central to Christianity.
What Chris Pratt’s Documentary Reveals About St. Peter’s Tomb
At the heart of Pétros ení: Discovering the Origins is the investigation into the traditional burial place of St. Peter, one of the most important figures in early Christianity.
The documentary revisits archaeological work conducted beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, where researchers examined an ancient Roman necropolis containing burial structures, inscriptions and other evidence connected to the site.
According to Vatican News, excavations began under Pope Pius XII during the Second World War. The work explored the area beneath the basilica and investigated the traditional location of the apostle’s tomb.
Pope Pius XII announced the discovery of the burial site in 1950. Further research followed, including work by Italian epigrapher Margherita Guarducci. In 1968, Pope Paul VI announced that the remains believed to belong to St. Peter had been identified.
The documentary revisits these discoveries and the researchers involved, tracing how the archaeological site became part of the basilica’s history.
It is important to distinguish the archaeological findings from the religious tradition associated with them. The film presents the investigation and the Catholic Church’s identification of the remains within the context of its longstanding belief that St. Peter was buried at the site.
St. Peter is traditionally regarded by the Catholic Church as its first pope. Christian tradition holds that he was martyred in Rome during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero.
The site associated with his burial subsequently became a place of devotion. In the fourth century, Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of an early basilica incorporating the area surrounding the traditional tomb.
The present St. Peter’s Basilica was consecrated on November 18, 1626, establishing the historical milestone behind the documentary’s release.
Chris Pratt Reflects on St. Peter’s Humanity and Faith
The documentary also explores St. Peter as a human being, rather than presenting him solely as a distant religious figure.
In a video message presented at the Rome Film Festival premiere, Pratt reflected on the apostle’s imperfections and the role of faith in his life.
“What I would like audiences to understand about Peter after watching this documentary is that he was an imperfect man. He was a weak man. He was a human being,” Pratt said.
He continued:
“I believe we are all broken, imperfect and weak. But his strength lies in the grace of Jesus and his faith in God. With that strength, through grace and faith, you can be incredibly strong.”
These remarks were made in connection with the documentary’s premiere, rather than during the October 20 TODAY interview.
They nevertheless provide additional context for Pratt’s involvement in a film that examines both the archaeological history of St. Peter’s tomb and the apostle’s enduring significance to the Christian faith.
When Will ‘Pétros ení: Discovering the Origins’ Be Released Internationally?
The documentary premiered at the Rome Film Festival on October 16, 2026, ahead of the 400th anniversary of St. Peter’s Basilica’s consecration in November.
Running for approximately one hour, the film combines historical documents, archival material, archaeological evidence and footage from beneath the basilica. Vatican News has described it as a journey through the site’s history, from the early Christian period to the excavations associated with the identification of the traditional burial place.
The film was released in Spain on October 9, before its Rome Film Festival presentation.
Religion News Service reported on October 19 that a wider international release was expected in early 2027. However, the cited reporting does not establish a confirmed worldwide release date or a complete distribution schedule. Availability may therefore differ by country.
The documentary’s timing connects it to the basilica’s anniversary, but its subject extends beyond the building itself. Through Pratt’s narration and Pope Leo XIV’s appearance, it explores the relationship between the apostle’s burial place, archaeological research and the religious significance attached to the site.
For Pratt, the documentary also offers a contrast with his television work. While The Terminal List places him in a fictional story of espionage, military operations and family history, Pétros ení: Discovering the Origins asks him to guide viewers through historical evidence and a longstanding religious tradition.
Actors Reflecting on Personal Loss
Interviews sometimes give actors an opportunity to reflect on significant events involving people they have known. For a separate account involving Joshua Jackson, see our interview report on James Van Der Beek’s death.
Conclusion: Chris Pratt Balances Action Television With a Vatican Documentary
Chris Pratt’s October 20 appearance on NBC’s TODAY brought attention to two very different projects. The Terminal List Season 2 is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video on October 21, 2026, with all eight episodes arriving together and James Reece drawn into an international conspiracy involving the CIA and a resurgent terrorist group.
At the same time, his narration of Pétros ení: Discovering the Origins places him at the centre of a documentary about St. Peter’s tomb, the Vatican Necropolis and the history of St. Peter’s Basilica. The film premiered in Rome on October 16 and features Pope Leo XIV in its concluding scenes.
Pratt’s joke about choosing roles that require push-ups offered a lighthearted glimpse into the physical expectations of his acting career, while his documentary work introduced a historical and religious subject.
Although the available interview summary does not detail his workout programme or fully recount his meeting with the pope, the two projects show the breadth of his current screen work as The Terminal List prepares for its second-season premiere and the Vatican documentary moves towards a wider international release.
Source and research disclaimer: This article has been prepared using the information and source material provided from NBC’s TODAY, Prime Video, Vatican News and the other publications listed below. Statements, dates, release expectations and historical details are presented according to the supplied material; this article does not claim independent verification beyond those sources. Distribution schedules and other release details may change.
Sources
- NBC / TODAY — Chris Pratt on Meeting Pope Leo, Rigorous Workout Routine, More
- NBC / TODAY — Chris Pratt and Tom Hopper Discuss ‘The Terminal List’ Season 2
- Amazon — ‘The Terminal List’ Season 2: Cast, Plot, Release Date and More
- Vatican News — A New Documentary About St. Peter’s Tomb Featuring Pope Leo XIV
- Vatican News — ‘Pétros ení’: New Film on St. Peter’s Tomb Features Pope Leo
- Vatican News — Chris Pratt to Present New Documentary About St. Peter’s Tomb
- America Magazine / Religion News Service — Chris Pratt Joins Pope Leo in Documentary About St. Peter’s Remains
Featured Image Credit: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Leave a Reply