Super Mario Movie, and other weird casting decisions

Cafe Society
1

So I was watching a Nintendo Direct yesterday, and the new Super Mario Bros. Movie came up.
It was announced to be a 2022 Holiday release, and they announced the Voice cast:

Chirs Pratt is Mario
Anya Taylor-Joy is Peach
Charlie Day is Luigi
Jack Black is Bowser
Keegan-Michael Key is Toad
Jack Black is Bowser
Seth Rogan is Donkey Kong
Kevin Michael Richardson is Kamek
Fred Armisen is Cranky Kong
Sabastian Maniscalo is Spike
and
Charles Martinet, (the original voice of Mario,) is also set to voice some mystery characters too.

I’m Hyped and all, but… Chris Pratt!? Wow. That was a surprise! I can understand the rest of the cast, but Pratt as my favorite pudgy plumber!? Wow. I mean… Chris Pratt!?

It’s just weird. So I’m making a thread about WTF casting choices. What casting choices had you scratching your head?

2

It’s an animated movie, you know.

3

I know… Did it sound like I wasn’t aware of that?

4

I just don’t see what’s so weird about Pratt in the role. He has a decent voice.

5

Oh…Well, I guess I find it surprising. I’m not complaining. All the other voice actors make sense to me. Pratt… I’ll have to see, but I think it’s a weird choice.

6

Bowser is Jack Black.
Jack Black is Bowser.

7

Voice acting is a very different skill from physical acting.

8

I agree. Rogan’s as DK sounds fitting to me, too.

9

Mario looks nothing like Mario in the Super Mario trailer.

10

I’m interested in seeing what Mario and The Mushroom Kingdom look like. Too bad the Trailer isn’t out.

11

Ok my bad. I guess I was watching a “concept”.

12

Eets ah-me, Mario!

13

But movie actors doing voice acting roles is nothing new. What’s so special about Pratt?

14

Trust me, I HOPE it’s a great Movie. I’m a HUGE Mario fan.

I’m not the only person who thinks Pratt is a weird choice. I just need to hear it I guess.

15

Pratt has voice acted in big movies before as well. He’s the main character in The Lego Movie and was one of the mains in Onward (and did a fine job in both).

16

I saw the LEGO Movie, That’s one of the reasons why I’m a little confused.

He did a fine job, I just don’t ‘hear’ Mario when I think of his voice.

17

Me, I’m holding out for a live-action adaptation, perhaps a trilogy, for The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time.

18

You do realize people adopt accents when they do roles that require them, yes?

I’m guessing he was probably asked to do his best Mario before they hired him.

19

I’m pretty sure he can pull off a bogus Italian accent.

20

Yes, I know. I’m looking forward to it. We’ll see.