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‘Holy Sh*t – It’s Literally Just Chris Pratt’ – Fans Roast the New Super Mario Voice After Trailer is Revealed

By Nick Hall - News Published: , Last Updated:

When Chris Pratt was announced as the lead actor in the new Nintendo-backed Super Mario film, the internet rightly had its reservations. The American actor best known for guarding the galaxy and stupifying fans in MouseRat wasn’t exactly the ideal embodiment of the mushroom-powered plumber with the thick Italian accent, but Universal Pictures assured us that he was the right fit. The production company confirmed that Pratt had been working tirelessly to perfect the modern Mario voice, adding subtle nuances to the familiar turn of phrase in an effort to add complexity to the nostalgic video game character. Now, months down the track, fans have finally been treated to the first listen of Pratt’s Mario and it’s…literally just Chris Pratt.

RELATED: How to Watch ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Trailer

Universal Pictures and Nintendo unveiled the first trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie during the Nintendo Direct event on Thursday, providing a debut look at the animated feature and it must be said, the new film looks visually stunning. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the team behind Teen Titans Go!, the new Super Mario Bros. Movie arrives via a screenplay from Matthew Fogel. The famed writer previously penned a fellow Chris Pratt animated epic The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part and was also responsible for the breakout smash Minions: The Rise of Gru, so there’s certainly a legitimate pedigree backing the new film, along with the iconic IP.

However, much of the new animated flick’s success falls on its lead actor. Since 1992, voice actor Charles Martinet has played the Italian plumber, improvising a number of the key catchphrases for which Mario is known. Naturally, when he was usurped by Pratt for the movie adaptation, fans weren’t entirely happy, forcing the cast and crew to downplay the situation.

Speaking with Variety earlier this year, Pratt revealed that he “worked really closely with the directors” to craft the perfect Mario voice, adding, “(We tried) out a few things and landed on something that I’m really proud of…It’s an animated voiceover narrative. It’s not a live-action movie. I’m not gonna be wearing a plumber suit running all over. I’m providing a voice for an animated character, and it is updated and unlike anything you’ve heard in the Mario world before.”

So, just what does Pratt’s iteration of the iconic video game character sound like? Well, according to the two brief lines of dialogue he cops in the initial Super Mario Bros. Movie trailer, exactly like his normal voice. Social media users have been quick to point out that Pratt’s version of ‘unlike anything’ fans had heard before sounded a lot like something they had definitely heard before. Needless to say, the reveal is getting roasted on Twitter.

Outside of Pratt’s casting choice, the general consensus surrounding the new Mario movie is entirely positive. Fans are loving the new animation style and are completely sold on Jack Black’s over-the-top Bowser, giving some hope that Pratt’s voice might settle with time. Here’s hoping.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike. It will hit cinemas on March 30 and you can watch the first trailer above.

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Nick Hall
Editor-in-Chief

Nick Hall

Nick Hall is an award-winning journalist and the current Editor-in-Chief of Man of Many. With an extensive background in the media industry, he specialises in feature writing, lifestyle and entertainment content. Nick is the reigning Mumbrella Publish Awards ‘Editor of the Year’ and B&T ‘Best of the Best - Journalist’, courtesy of his work with Man of Many.

Prior to working at the men’s lifestyle publication, Nick spent two years as a journalist with Inside Franchise Business, focusing on small business, finance and legal reporting.

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