Chris Pratt has never been one to shy away from tough conversations, especially when it comes to the heated debate over his casting as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. After facing backlash from fans and Hollywood figures alike, Pratt is opening up about why he’s confident in his role and the work he’s done to bring the beloved video game character to life.
The Casting Controversy
The Super Mario Bros. film, which was released in April 2023, sparked immediate controversy when it was announced that Pratt would voice Mario, a character with a distinct Italian-American accent. Fans of the franchise were quick to voice their concerns, particularly about Pratt’s casting, with some questioning why an actor of Italian descent was not chosen for the role. The controversy intensified when John Leguizamo, who previously portrayed Mario in the 1993 live-action film, publicly criticized the decision.
In an interview with IndieWire, Leguizamo expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “It’s unfortunate. For them to go backwards and not cast another actor of color kind of sucks.” Pratt, however, was not discouraged by the criticism.
Pratt’s Response to the Critics
In a March 2023 interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Pratt defended his portrayal of Mario, explaining that the character’s voice has always been minimal in the video games. “You don’t hear him say a whole lot,” Pratt remarked. “When they reached out to me about doing it, it was really about how are we going to flesh out this character? And who is this guy?”
He also addressed the issue of Mario’s iconic Italian accent. “We were trying to find a way to put that into the movie, but in a way that would be congruent with a storyline of these working-class American guys from Brooklyn,” he explained.
Pratt also pointed out the significance of the Super Mario Bros. franchise, saying, “I get it. Mostly, people don’t want something like this to get screwed up. They’re precious about it. They’re careful. And I’m grateful for that.” The Guardians of the Galaxy star reiterated his deep connection to the game, revealing that he had played it for hundreds of hours as a child.
A Playful Response to the Backlash
Pratt even took the controversy in stride, sharing a humorous April Fools’ joke on Instagram. “Proud to share that I will be The Lead Voice in the upcoming film adaptation of Disney’s Mickey Mouse! Get ready for it to hit the big screens in 2025!” he posted, before clarifying in the comments, “APRIL FOOLS.”
Despite the criticism, Pratt has remained proud of his work, saying in an interview with Gizmodo’s io9 in March 2023 that he was “really proud” of the voice he developed for Mario. “I worked closely with the directors, and after trying a lot of different stuff, the studio picked the voice,” he said. “I showed up to work and did my best.”
What’s Next for Chris Pratt?
As Pratt continues to receive attention for his portrayal of Mario, he’s also been busy with other projects. He recently spoke about his passion for the role of Super Mario, revealing that he “tried a lot of different things” to find the perfect fit for the character’s voice.
In addition to his role as Mario, Pratt is known for his role in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World franchises, and has become one of Hollywood’s leading men. Still, his performance in Super Mario Bros. seems to have left a lasting impression, with fans and critics alike closely examining his every move.