Even Chris Pratt’s Own Kid Doesn’t Like His Version Of Mario
Even Chris Pratt's son isn't a fan of the actor's casting in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, preferring Charlie Day's Luigi over Mario.
Actor Chris Pratt has been the subject of a great deal of scrutiny since it was first announced that he’d be leading The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Pratt, who voices Mario alongside Charlie Day’s Luigi, recently sat down with ET Online to discuss a number of factors in their upcoming animated film, including their own children’s responses to their casting. While Charlie Day’s 11-year-old son is incredibly excited to see his father take on the task, Chris Pratt revealed that his 10-year-old son, Jack, is more of a Luigi fan.
Looks like that’s a one-up for Charlie Day, as nobody seems overly excited to hear Chris Pratt deliver iconic lines of dialogue from the Italian plumber in his casual affectation. Pratt garnered a great deal of hate online after stating he would not be attempting to replicate the voice of the mustachioed video game character, who has been voiced by Charles Martinet since 1991, in the upcoming film. This was only compounded by the first trailer for the film, which was released back in October of 2022, when the internet became nonplussed by the Guardians of the Galaxy actor’s choice to voice Mario with his regular speaking voice.
Subsequent trailers have seen performances from Keegan Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Jack Black, and Anya Taylor-Joy, which deliver on their promise to bring their respective characters to life in a faithful yet innovative way, making Chris Pratt the odd man out. Obviously, the film has yet to arrive, and fans may find the tides turning once they see the bigger picture at the box office, but for now, Pratt has become public enemy number one for a host of online jokes and memes. For instance, when referencing the lack of enthusiasm for his performance by his son, Jack, whom he shares with actor Anna Faris, Pratt seems to be making a sarcastic joke at his own expense, but he fails to see the irony that there truly is a low set of expectations for his work on the film.
When it comes to voicing Mario, there seem to be two schools of thought. The best course of action seems to be either sticking to the short quippy high pitched phrases the character is known for or delivering the lines in a growling Brooklyn accent, such as Bob Hoskins’ performance in the critically panned 1993 Super Mario Bros film. Chris Pratt opted to do neither of these techniques, instead aiming right down the middle and pleasing nobody.
Additionally, film fans may be finding themselves fatigued by the overcasting of Chris Pratt, as the actor has been highly prolific in recent years. After getting into Marvel shape to portray Peter Quill in The Guardians of the Galaxy, Pratt went on to take a number of leading roles in major blockbusters such as The Lego Movie, Jurassic World, and now The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with the recent news that the actor has also been cast in the titular role of an upcoming Garfield reboot. Again, it remains possible that Pratt’s vocal work will stun crowds when The Super Mario Bros. Movie arrives in theaters on April 5, but many fans, including his own son, fail to see the appeal.
