Beloved video game characters are appearing on the big screen in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Based on Nintendo’s Mario franchise, the animated film tells the origin story of Mario (Chris Pratt) and his younger brother, Luigi (Charlie Day), as they start their own plumbing business. While the film begins with the brothers trying to find success with their new professional endeavor, viewers are eventually taken on Mario’s action-packed journey through the Mushroom Kingdom as he sets out to save Luigi after he is captured by Bowser (Jack Black) and his army.
Pratt leads an all-star cast that also includes Anya Taylor-Joy, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Sebastian Maniscalco, Charles Martinet and Kevin Michael Richardson.
The cast likely knows that they have big shoes to fill by portraying the fan-favorite characters.
“I was pretty nervous when they offered it to me. I thought, ‘Wow, let’s not screw this up,’” Pratt told The Hollywood Reporter about the pressure he felt to voice the titular character during the film’s L.A. premiere. “People are passionate about this character, and they’ve probably seen some of their favorite IP getting screwed up. It’s kind of a cynical business. People make movies just because a title has reach.”
Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic co-directed the film from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel.
Below, THR takes a look at the Nintendo characters and the actors who are playing them in the 2023 animated film.
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Chris Pratt as Mario
Image Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Nintendo/Universal Studios Mario is a struggling Italian-American plumber based in Brooklyn, New York. When Luigi is captured by Bowser’s army, he sets out on a mission in Mushroom Kingdom to save his younger brother.
After starring on The WB’s Everwood, Pratt rose to prominence when he portrayed Andy Dwyer on NBC’s Parks and Recreation from 2009-15. While starring on the sitcom, the actor also played supporting roles in the films Jennifer’s Body, Moneyball, Zero Dark Thirty and Her. In 2014, Pratt portrayed Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy and went on to reprise the role in four more Marvel movies. He also played Owen Grady in the Jurassic World trilogy from 2015-22. Pratt is no stranger to animation and has lent his voice to characters in The Lego Movie and Onward. His next animated project will feature him voicing the titular character in the 2024 film Garfield.
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Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
Image Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images; Nintendo/Universal Studios As the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach acts as Mario’s guide, mentor and love interest. She has lived in Mushroom Kingdom since she was an infant and was raised by the Toad population within the community.
Taylor-Joy previously starred in the horror film The Witch, followed by more movies in the genre, including Split and its sequel, Glass. Her other notable film credits include roles in Last Night in Soho, The Northman, The Menu and Amsterdam. Taylor-Joy also starred as Beth Harmon in the Netflix miniseries The Queen’s Gambit and won a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for the role. The actress will next star in the films Furiosa and The Gorge.
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Charlie Day as Luigi
Image Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Nintendo/Universal Studios Luigi is Mario’s timid younger brother and business partner. After he is captured by Bowser and his army, Mario sets out on a mission to save Luigi.
Day is best known for playing Charlie Kelly on the long-running FX comedy series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which he also executive produces. Additionally, he co-created Fox’s The Cool Kids with Paul Fruchbom and Apple TV+’s Mythic Quest with Rob McElhenney and Megan Ganz. The actor has also found success in film, starring in Pacific Rim, Pacific Rim Uprising, Horrible Bosses and Horrible Bosses 2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie isn’t Day’s first animated film. He previously voiced characters in Monsters University and The Lego Movie franchise. Day is set to make his feature-film directorial debut in May 2023 with the film Fool’s Paradise, which he also wrote and acts in.
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Jack Black as Bowser
Image Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Nintendo/Universal Studios Bowser is King of the Koopas, the ruler of the Dark Lands. In the movie, he steals the powerful Super Star in an attempt to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser also plans to marry Princess Peach.
In addition to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Black has lent his voice to several animated projects, including the Kung Fu Panda franchise, and the video games Brutal Legend, Broken Age and Psychonauts 2. The actor has also appeared in several live-action films, like High Fidelity, Shallow Hal, Orange County, School of Rock, Envy, King Kong, The Holiday, Gulliver’s Travels, Bernie, The House With a Clock in Its Walls, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and the Jumanji film franchise.
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Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images; Nintendo/Universal Studios Toad, who is a member of the Toad species, is a resident of Mushroom Kingdom who aspires to go on an adventure.
Key has had a successful career in both television and film. He co-created and starred on Comedy Central’s Key & Peele from 2012-15, while he also starred on USA Network’s Playing House from 2014-17, Netflix’s Friends from College from 2017-19 and Hulu’s Reboot in 2022. In addition to having recurring roles on Fargo and Parks and Recreation, Key has had supporting roles in the films Horrible Bosses 2, Pitch Perfect 2, Don’t Think Twice, Dolemite Is My Name and The Prom. The actor has also acted in several animated films, including The Lego Movie, the Hotel Transylvania franchise, Storks, The Angry Birds Movie and Toy Story 4. He is currently starring as Josh Skinner on AppleTV+’s Schmigadoon!
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Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong
Image Credit: Rick Kern/Getty Images; Nintendo/Universal Studios Donkey Kong is a powerful anthropomorphic gorilla and heir to the throne of the Jungle Kingdom. The brothers encounter King Donkey during their journey through Mushroom Kingdom, while Mario and the heir even fight in an epic battle.
Rogen is best known for his comedic roles and has appeared in films including Knocked Up, Neighbors and Long Shot. The actor has starred in and co-written movies like Superbad, Pineapple Express and This Is the End, while he also wrote, produced and acted in the R-rated animated film Sausage Party. Additionally, he showed off his dramatic acting abilities in Take This Waltz, Steve Jobs and The Fabelmans. On the television side, Rogen previously starred on Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared and Pam & Tommy.
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Fred Armisen as King Cranky Kong
Image Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; Nintendo/Universal Studios Cranky Kong has several responsibilities as the ruler of the Jungle Kingdom, including acting as the commander of the Kong Army. He is also Donkey Kong’s father.
After starring on Saturday Night Live from 2002-13, Armisen co-created and starred in IFC’s Portlandia from 2011-18. The actor went on to co-create the IFC mockumentary series Documentary Now! (2015–present) and the Showtime comedy Moonbase 8 (2020–present). Armisen served as the band leader of the 8G Band on Late Night With Seth Meyers, while he has also made guest appearances on several shows, including 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, New Girl, Broad City, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Difficult People and The Last Man on Earth. He most recently appeared on Netflix’s 2023 series Unstable as Leslie.
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Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike
Image Credit: Greg Doherty/Getty Images Spike is Mario and Luigi’s former boss from the Wrecking Crew. He becomes upset with the brothers when they leave the company to start their own business.
Maniscalco has found success as both a stand-up comedian and actor. While his film credits include supporting roles in Green Book, The Irishman and Spinning Gold, he has starred in six stand-up specials, including Sebastian Live, What’s Wrong With People?, Stay Hungry and Is It Me? Maniscalco co-wrote and will star in the upcoming comedy film About My Father, while he will also star in the upcoming HBO Max comedy series How to Be a Bookie.
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Charles Martinet as Mario and Luigi’s Father/ Giuseppe
Image Credit: David Livingston/Getty Images Martinet takes on two roles inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie. He lends his voice to Mario and Luigi’s father, as well as Brooklyn resident Giuseppe. While playing Giuseppe, Martinet speaks with an accent that is similar to the one the brothers use in the games.
The actor is best known for voicing the characters of Mario and Luigi in the Super Mario video game series since 1991. He has also lent his voice to the characters of Parthurnaax in the 2011 video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Magenta in 2021 video game Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
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Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; Nintendo/Universal Studios Kamek, a Koopa sorcerer, serves as Bowser’s adviser and informant as he tries to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom.
Richardson has voiced characters in several animated films, including Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge, the Lilo & Stitch franchise and The Matrix Revolutions. On the television side, the actor has worked with Seth MacFarlane on many of his shows, including Family Guy, The Cleveland Show and American Dad! He has also lent his voice to several characters on The Simpsons. Richard has received critical acclaim for his voice acting and earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for voicing the Joker in Cartoon Network’s The Batman from 2004–08.
Katherine Schaffstall
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