# Super Mario Movie, and other weird casting decisions **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [September 24, 2021, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287 "2021-09-24T19:21:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/1 "2021-09-24T19:21:00Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/2 "2021-09-24T19:23:58Z")
It’s an animated movie, you know. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/3 "2021-09-24T19:24:30Z")
I know… Did it sound like I wasn’t aware of that? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/4 "2021-09-24T19:26:01Z")
I just don’t see what’s so weird about Pratt in the role. He has a decent voice. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/5 "2021-09-24T19:27:43Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/6 "2021-09-24T19:28:10Z")
Bowser is Jack Black. Jack Black is Bowser. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/7 "2021-09-24T19:29:38Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I just don’t see what’s so weird about Pratt in the role. **He has a decent voice.** - Voice _acting_ is a very different skill from physical acting. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/8 "2021-09-24T19:31:44Z")
I agree. Rogan’s as DK sounds fitting to me, too. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/9 "2021-09-24T19:36:15Z")
Mario looks nothing like Mario in the Super Mario trailer. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/10 "2021-09-24T19:39:11Z")
I’m interested in seeing what Mario and The Mushroom Kingdom look like. Too bad the Trailer isn’t out. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/11 "2021-09-24T19:42:14Z")
Ok my bad. I guess I was watching a “concept”. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Z0bLlwSDxoI/maxresdefault.jpg "Super Mario Bros: The Animated Movie - (2023 Trailer) Concept (Chris Pratt - Jack Black)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0bLlwSDxoI) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/12 "2021-09-24T19:44:15Z")
Eets ah-me, Mario! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/13 "2021-09-24T19:56:37Z")
But movie actors doing voice acting roles is nothing new. What’s so special about Pratt? ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/14 "2021-09-24T20:01:37Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/15 "2021-09-24T20:03:57Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@Alessan](#): > > > > I just don’t see what’s so weird about Pratt in the role. **He has a decent voice.** - > > Voice _acting_ is a very different skill from physical acting. 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). ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/16 "2021-09-24T20:05:37Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > 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). 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. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/17 "2021-09-24T20:07:55Z")
Me, I’m holding out for a live-action adaptation, perhaps a trilogy, for _The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time_. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/18 "2021-09-24T20:08:01Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > > [@ISiddiqui](#): > > > > 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). > > 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. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/19 "2021-09-24T20:08:11Z")
I’m pretty sure he can pull off a bogus Italian accent. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287/20 "2021-09-24T20:08:52Z")
Yes, I know. I’m looking forward to it. We’ll see. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-mario-movie-and-other-weird-casting-decisions/951287.md?page=2)