Mario Movie Producer Defends Chris Pratt's Casting (Again), Says Movie Is 75% Complete

Unpopular opinion. Chris pratt made a great buzz lightyear

Methinks he dost protest too much.

I think the Chris Pratt hate is overblown. So what if he’s in a lot of movies? If he does a good job, that’s all that’s important. Chris Pratt, in my opinion, is the least of my concerns with this movie. Call me when Illumination proves they can actually make a good movie and then I’ll get excited.

@KnightsTemplar That was Chris Evans, my friend.

@KnightsTemplar That was Chris Evans, and yes he did.

As for Chris Pratt, I’m keeping an open mind with his Mario. Will it be different? Sure. But the Switch is different from other consoles and we love it and other consoles all the same!

I'm shocked and offended to learn that Chris pratt is not a plumber in real life, and demand that they recast the role with that of a plumber-american.

Interesting. I figured they would be done recording dialogue by now.

That’s great, but I’d love to judge for myself with a trailer.

What bugs me the most is that Seth Rogen is voicing Donkey Kong.
Donkey Kong would probably be better voiced by videogamedunkey.
Some YouTubers already had some voice roles in animated films. DanTDM was in the UK release of Ralph Breaks the Internet, and ProZD was in the English dub of Mamoru Hosoda's Belle.

I mean, if they are going for a unique role for Mario maybe he will fit this new style well. We haven't heard it yet, and Chris did voice Emmet very well

Just more celebrity worship that we don’t need.

It's weird how Chris Pratt is such a meme choice that people forget he was already the main character in a beloved animated movie already or think that Mario has a defined personality that Chris might ruin somehow.

I'm not sure the movie will be good but casting Chris Pratt doesn't necessarily have much to do with that.

I dont think it’s that bad to be honest. It’ll be awful either way. Probably still fun to watch

It might be an unpopular opinion, but I'm not a big fan of celebrity voice actors. I much prefer professional voice actors since they tend to have a wider range of voices.

I don't need a guy that sounds exactly like Seth Rogan in every animated feature.

I’m still confused about why anyone was surprise, not about choosing Pratt, but that they might have casted Charles Martinet was even considered… Illumination foesn’t want this movie to appeal only to hardcore gamers, so why would they pay someone nobody else has ever heard of? It baffles me that people are surprised by this

Put out a trailer. Even a sneak peak/teaser. Prove it.

Concerns about a non-Italian actor?

But Charles Martinet, basically Mario as everyone knows him, is French American

Since I am a French Canadian from Québec I don’t care about Chris Pratt since Mario will be dubbed in French by a fellow Quebecois, but I like Chris Pratt ,Guardians of the galaxy movies are among the best marvel movies for me.

@Hydra_Spectre
Seth Rogan is the mind behind truly disgusting films like 'Sausage Party', and that vile 'Santa Inc.' Call me uptight, but he shouldn't be anywhere near children's programming imo.

"concerns have been raised" who raised concerns? People on Twitter?

The character barely has any defining traits for people to think that it will be ruined somehow. As for his voice in games, I don't want to diminish Charles Martinet's work but the character rarely speaks and is mostly exaggerated expressions with no depth. To be clear, that's not the voice actor's mistake or anything, that's the direction of the character in the games.

If this movie sucks, it won't be for the voice acting. Besides, people can hate/love someone and suddenly completely change their minds and repeat whatever popular opinion about them is out there, wheter it's negative or positive. Just look at Ryan Reynolds, Johnny Depp or Keanu Reeves.

At this point Sonic the Hedgehog 3 the movie will be out before this Mario one will.

Maybe those guys are the same ones who defend EM's Flash and AH's Hera...

@KnightsTemplar wrong Chris, dude

@Shepdawg1 my mistake lol

Seriously? This is what it's come to? People do know "actors" actually are right? Next they'll complain Link isn't played by an actual Hylian.

Why is it fine for a Japanese person make an Italian character, but not okay for a non-Italian to ever play him in a movie? I'm just going to say it. That's pretty racist.

You know? If I was Chris’s boy I’d be like Dad you are the greatest Dad ever! Then I’d remeshing around for Mushrooms and Flowers to give to Sonic at Mushroom Hill! Happy Father’s Day! And I liked his role in Guardians of the Galaxy!

@somnambulance I don't believe you, continue

I hope he does Brooklyn like Lou Albano and Bob Hoskins. I like the Italian voice too but since Chris won't do an Italian voice, Brooklyn is the second accent Mario is known to have.

Someone should tell him that in Italy literally NOBODY cares about all this "representation" thing from America.

I'm fine with Pratt being Mario since he was a fun character on Parks & Rec even if it's odd to not just have the actual voice actor do it.

I mean the movie can't be any worse than the Sonics...right...right?

I can't complain about any movie/series much in any case since it's all free on the internet so if it's bad then at least I passed some time.

@Hydra_Spectre not sure I agree. I can't think of much better than Seth Rogen making gorilla noises (and nothing else) for an entire movie.

Can someone actually give reason why he wouldn’t fit the roll?

at this point i think people forgot that the main gripe people had with the voice cast is that we literally had a mario VA for decades, only for charles to be replaced by hollywood buzzname

not a knock against the movies quality or actors faithfulness in the role, its just lame to see

What's wrong with Charles Martinet? He's the voice of Mario we all know, period. It's going to be soo weird to hear Mario voiced by anyone else.

I'm Italian, so I'll probably be watching the movie with a real Italian voice (and language) for Mario, at least at the theatre.
Then I'll give the English version a try, just to know what people is all about.
When I was a child I never really understood all the big Hollywood names in the ending titles...

@nukatha Just because he appeared in adults-only content doesn't mean he isn't allowed to be in children's films.
That said, videogamedunkey is still a much better option than Seth Rogen.

I'm not going to bash Chris Pratt like an idiot - he's just doing his job, but I still have no hope for this movie and I'm fairly confident it will flop.

It'll be an interesting work of his I suppose

Nice and funny guy.
I will just wait till the first trailer comes out and try to enjoy every second of it.
People wining without even knowing how it looks or sounds. Lol.

Chris Pratt is a pretty good actor and honestly his casting is the least of my concerns. Illumination rarely make good films and they're very "memey". Nintendo being over controlling isn't likely to improve things imo as the Japanese take on Mario humour has always been a little off.

I think in light of the 2 Sonic films being successful (and having very different tones to illumination films) you've got to wonder if Nintendo are trying to course correct. They ideally should have handed the project over to NoA as let's face it, it's going to make 90% of it's box office in the west anyway.

I'm still gutted that they didn't cast Charles Martinet for Mario, I mean he's been the voice of Mario since Mario first spoke and seeing Chris Pratt taking the role just feels wrong to me. Also I don't understand why they have to emphasize the whole thing about Chris Pratt's Italian heritage. Who the hell cares and why does everything have to be so overly PC? I'm so tired of that stuff

I’m ok with this if they still use Charles for all the Mario noises like in the games.

Years ago I would have gone ballistic about a Mario animated movie, but now I am more: Pleeeaaassse be good and popular so we will also get a Zelda movie down the line. Of course I am also interested in a Mario movie and I will definitely watch it someday, but Zelda gets my blood pumping.

I hope Nintendo knows what they are doing. They are very protective of their franchises, but all those star-voices on the Nintendo characters sounds sooo unlike Nintendo. My fear is that we get a very young and peppy Mario and Luigi, shaven and all. Nothing like the Mario we know and love. Even worse: What if there will be a movie tie-in with these "new" designs and voices, and what if that becomes the future of the franchise? On the other hand casting Pratt for every game from now on...man that costs a lot of money. Nah, Nintendo won't do that (luckily).

@Pillowpants personally I feel Martinet is very one note. It's an Illumination film so it's going to have a very different tone than the games (for better or worse) I just can't imagine Martinet emoting particularly well in an "all is lost" moment, or the more tender moments (that are literally in every Illumination film, even the gutdang Minions film). Getting a proper actor is a good thing imo

@GoldenSunRM My man that's a GOAT tier avatar

I still have my doubts about Chris Pratt (whose birthday it is today 43), but whoever did the voice I would still watch it, well, when it comes on some streaming services for free. Sorry but the only cinema where I am is a stupidly tiny screen. Some people have larger TVs
Seth Rogan was great in Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers, but as Donkey Kong? Hmmm
But Jack Black as Bowser, yeah I'm up for that

I'm fine with Chris Pratt, I like the moves he's in...but...I'm still having a hard time imagining Mario with his voice instead of Charles...

I already feel less excited when it's illumination doing it problem with illumination they do average to meh movies and most of time they do pop culture references and cringy jokes I'll see trailer I wanna know how it looks so far between casting as well I don't have faith in this it could be fine like chip and dale movie or it could be bad like Scoob movie.

To he fair, Mario isn't Italian or American anyway, so I don't see any casting choice offending either nationality unless a person of that nationality also happens to suffer from fanship - but being offended at everything is a normal state for us fans anyway.

Like I said before, it's their call, including Nintendo's. For all my respect to Martinet, I'm mercifully not as biased towards him (largely because I have yet to do a proper full playthrough of any main game past SNES years), and I'm curious what Pratt can bring to the table, especially after acing other voice roles like Emmett Brickowski and Barley Lightfoot. Peach has had at least three VAs in the games themselves - was there an outrcry every time as w- no, wait, scratch that, chances are I'll regret asking.😅

All those people commenting here are literally ignoring that Chris Pratt rode a Dinosaur in Jurassic World, which is the role that made him a contender to play Mario in the first place

@Gamergirl94 You mean you're not looking forward to Mario twerking and/or flossing?

People that have a problem with a non-Italian portraying an Italian need to read up the definition of acting.

Also if you had ancestors 200 years ago that were Italian, but your family lives in the US since, guess what, you are not Italian.

Honestly the weirdest part for me is feeling the need to dredge up vague Italian American heritage to defend having a non-Italian VA for Mario. Besides the fact Charles Martinet isn't Italian, I think we're long past the point of cultural sensitivity as far as Mario goes, not that I've ever known any Italian person to actually give a toss.

@ThePizzaCheese The controversy isn't about Chris Pratt's heritage, it's that they ignored Mario's decades-long voice actor in favor of some famous celebrity for marketing purposes. I haven't seen anyone seriously complain about Pratt not being Italian.

If no one of these internet people heard his performance yet, then why bother complaining? Give the man a chance, and if he blows it - well you can start a petition when the trailer comes out.

Chris Pratt is like The Rock. They're both in everything all the time. Let's give him a chance, we haven't even heard his take yet

I’m not judging this movie, or the casting choice till I hear it in action, then there was the whole argument with him not actually being Italian, which made no sense to me whatsoever.

Heres hopes to a good video game movie!

@nessisonett except nobody is bashing him and this comment section is more positive towards him. Which means all is good 😁
On topic: I REALLY hope this movie turns out good.

I just hope this movie will be as good as sonic 1&2 movie 😃

Rumour has it that Nintendo will force people to not bring their phones into the cinema and also that they're naked and hungry in order to protect their IP and boost the snacks sale while the film is running. Children humming Mario's tunes will also be required to pay royalties at the exit.There will be a 50/50 ratio of lawyers and spectators. Besides, the spectator's day will be removed in order to protect the value of their intellectual property.

Is no one else secretly looking forward to this? Not even a little bit? Pratt is great in the Marvel films and I quite enjoy a few Illumination films. My kids love Sing and Sing 2 for example. I’m not expecting it to be awesome, I’m expecting a light hearted fun family film like the Sonic movies.

"It's me, Mario!"
A two second clip.
That's literally all we've needed for the past year or so.
The fact that we still haven't, yet, is exactly why we're all so worried about how bad this might turn out.

@Banjo- but on the other side of that, I am pretty sure you will be able to download and watch the whole film from the internet as soon as it releases at the cinema. So I am with Nintendo in having no trust with anyone on the internet.

imagine giving a s' about who voices which fake person on a dumb videogame movie.

I really have to see the film first. I actually do not care about the people behind an art project, the art is more important to me.

Hey guys. Remember Snowbell from Stuart Little 1 and 2? I bet Chris Pratt doesn't.

@Aurumonado Right! How many people can actually pick all the voices in this animated features? Give the roles to people who have the skills.

Yeah, we’re all on pins-and-needles waiting to hear it. But I’m onboard, Chris Pratt is great in everything I’ve seen him in.

I gotta see it, even if the movie is terrible. Chris Pratt's voice in Mario is gonna be so stupid it'll be funny.

"first animated movie outing"

(note: a suggestion to correct this part of the article on this page (for accuracy))

I’m not Sad that it’s Chris Pratt, I’m angered by the fact that instead of going with established and fantastic voices of Charles Martinet and co, they decided that they needed celebrities.

@ReaperMelia You mean like how they ignored Sonic and Pikachu's game VA's for Ben Shuartz and Ryan Reynolds in their respective movies?

Im passing on seeing this as 2 actors in the film ive boycotted so i will never watch this film

@teeenytiny This is one reason im passing

@Arkay i could care less as im not watcing the film im past kids films at this point.. love the games.. movies are boring

If you look at the full article, it says that Chris Pratt's casting as Mario has gained controversy "due to the fact the actor isn't Italian." This is just complete and utter falsehood. People didn't like the casting choice because it is the most patronizing, stereotypically "Hollywood" thing that could possibly be done in this situation.

@kkslider5552000 but Mario really has a personality. but the problem is not his characterization, but how his tone of voice can match the character, and also why Charles has been his voice actor for 30 years, and being traded for a celebrity is kind of unfair for that

do not take me wrong. I expect a good performance from him[Chris]in Mario, but it is inevitable that Illumination has made this choice for marketing purposes.

For those asking for Martinet, he does a great job on the character phrases but can you honestly picture his Mario doing multiple full-sentence dialogue? That rising pseudo-Italians intonation gets annoying on repeat.

@Aurumonado I agree with you. Sadly Hollywood can't release an animated movie into theaters without using big name actors for the voices, obviously for marketing. I find this especially frustrating with IPs that have well established voice actors. For the movie Scoob! almost everyone was re-cast. I don't know how Frank Welker was still able to voice Scooby-Doo. It sucks IMO.

Really hard to ever look at Mario and not imagine Charles Martinet's voice though...

@ReaperMelia
It's literally mentioned in this article that his heritage is part of the controversy. It's been mentioned before too.

Plus it's not like Martinet is the first person to voice Mario either. Other actors have done a great job playing him too. It's not like Martinet can voice him forever.

And come on, Martinet's voice just isn't suited for a film. Do you really want to listen to this for 2 hours? https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sI1Mu4Ee_c8

@jorel262

Yes Scoob is a great example. I was really upset because Frank Welker had voiced Fred for 50 years and they replaced him with a celebrity in the film.

Kinda wish it was Charles doing the voice of Mario, but I guess Chris is fine

Non-traversy.

Pretty sure Chris will turn out to be a great choice, and most of the regular movie goers will enjoy the movie and his performance, oblivious to some of the core fans moaning.

@ThePizzaCheese/

Exactly, this is a great case of "Be careful what you wish for", imagine "it's a me Mario" for more than ten minutes, pure agony.

He acts the same no matter what he's in so expect more of the same.

Just because he likes Chris Pratt's Mario voice does not mean fans will.