The Casting Controversy
Chris Pratt’s casting as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie sparked immediate backlash when it was announced. Fans and critics quickly questioned why an Italian-American actor wasn’t chosen to voice the iconic character, whose distinct Italian-American accent is a hallmark of the Super Mario franchise. The controversy reached new heights when John Leguizamo, who portrayed Mario in the 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. film, voiced his displeasure.
In an interview with IndieWire, Leguizamo stated, “It’s unfortunate. For them to go backwards and not cast another actor of color kind of sucks,” referencing the film’s casting choices. Despite the criticism, Pratt remained confident in his role and stood by his work in bringing Mario to life.
Pratt’s Response to the Critics
In a March 2023 interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Chris Pratt defended his portrayal of Mario, noting that the character’s voice in the video games has always been minimal. “You don’t hear him say a whole lot,” Pratt said. He explained that when the filmmakers approached him, the focus was on fleshing out Mario as a character beyond what was seen in the games. “It was really about how are we going to flesh out this character? And who is this guy?”
Pratt also addressed the issue of Mario’s Italian-American accent, explaining the team’s efforts to incorporate it in a way that fit with the storyline of two working-class American guys from Brooklyn. “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 elaborated.
Acknowledging the passion of Super Mario fans, Pratt expressed understanding of their concerns. “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,” he said, reinforcing his deep connection to the franchise. Pratt revealed that he had spent countless hours playing the game as a child, further fueling his passion for the role.
A Playful Response to the Backlash
Pratt even took the opportunity to playfully respond to the controversy, sharing an 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 adding, “APRIL FOOLS” in the comments.
Despite the criticism surrounding his casting, Pratt has maintained pride in his work, emphasizing the effort he put into his portrayal of Mario. In an interview with Gizmodo’s io9 in March 2023, he expressed how proud he was of the voice he developed for the character. “I worked closely with the directors, and after trying a lot of different stuff, the studio picked the voice,” Pratt said. “I showed up to work and did my best.”
What’s Next for Chris Pratt?
As Pratt continues to navigate the attention surrounding his portrayal of Mario, he remains busy with other major projects. Known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and the Jurassic World franchises, Pratt has become one of Hollywood’s leading men. Despite the ongoing discussions about his Mario performance, it seems that his role in Super Mario Bros. has left a lasting impression, with both fans and critics continuing to closely examine his work.
Whether or not the backlash affects the reception of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Pratt’s commitment to his role and his playful yet professional approach to criticism reflect his resilience as an actor.
