Whilst 1993’s live-action “Super Mario Bros.” film was a critical and commercial flop, it did introduce some people to actor John Leguizamo who took on the role of Luigi opposite Bob Hoskins’ Mario.
More recently, Universal and Illumination are readying an animated film adaptation of the property. Speaking with IndieWire, Leguizamo says that the upcoming film went “backwards” by having two white actors – Chris Pratt and Charlie Day – voice Mario and Luigi:
“I’m O.G. A lot of people love the original. I did Comic-Con in New York and in Baltimore, and everyone’s like, ‘No, no, we love the old one, the original.’ They’re not feeling the new one.’ I’m not bitter. It’s unfortunate.
The directors Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton fought really hard for me to be the lead [in the 1993 film] because I was a Latin man, and they [the studio] didn’t want me to be the lead. They fought really hard, and it was such a breakthrough. For them to go backwards and not cast another [actor of color] kind of sucks.”
Pratt’s casting as the voice of Mario has been embroiled in controversy ever since he was hired, mostly drawing concern at first and confusion in the wake of the recent teaser trailer.
The film also stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike.
“The Super Mario Bros. Movie” opens in theaters April 7th next year.
