In unexpected news of the day, it appears Chris Pratt, the loveable, hapless oaf that has endeared audiences of TV like “Everwood” and “Parks and Recreation”, is taking a drastically different turn with his next project. Twitch Film reports today Pratt is now in negotiations to join the cast of Kathryn Bigelow’s long-gestating Navy SEAL drama, “Kill Bin Laden.”

Twitch further reports that Pratt is up for “the lead role”, which is yet another puzzler in the confusing casting history of this film since, after Joel Edgerton dropped out, he was apparently replaced by fellow Aussie and “Great Gatsby” co-star Jason Clarke in the lead role. Certainly, there will be more than one lead male role in the film, and it’s unclear if Pratt is now replacing Clarke or there’s room for them both. Still in the rumored stage are previously reported names like Tom Hardy, Rooney Mara, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Ehle, Idris Elba and Nina Arianda. But casting should firm up fast as Bigelow is now eyeing a February start date for the production.

Audiences first took notice of Pratt when he played goofball big brother Bright Abbott on the critically acclaimed but short-lived WB series “Everwood” and is perhaps most well known currently as the equally goofball office worker Andy on NBC’s hit comedy “Parks and Recreation.” On film, as well, he has tended towards the comedic, with roles in “Bride Wars”, “What’s Your Number?” and next year’s “Five Year Engagement.” However, this year he took a turn for the dramatic when he played Scott Hatteburg, one of Brad Pitt’s underdog baseball players in Bennett Miller’s Oscar hopeful “Moneyball.” Even with that supporting role under his belt, suffice to say “Kill Bin Laden” would be quite a departure for Pratt, and – as much as we love him doing the comedy thing – an opportunity that should open him up to even more diverse roles.