When the first teaser for The Super Mario Bros. Movie dropped back in 2022, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. It wasn't because of the animation—Illumination clearly nailed the Mushroom Kingdom’s candy-colored aesthetic—but because of the voices. People were genuinely worried. Everyone had a theory on why Chris Pratt was "ruining their childhood," or why the cast of the super mario bros movie sounded more like a Hollywood red carpet than the games we grew up playing.
Honestly? Most of those fears ended up being totally overblown.
The movie didn't just survive the "celebrity voice" curse; it shattered box office records, clearing over $1.36 billion. A huge part of that success came down to how the actors actually handled these legacy characters. They weren't just reading lines. Most of them were trying to find a balance between the high-pitched "wahoo!" energy of the Nintendo games and the grounded needs of a 90-minute feature film.
Why the Mario Casting Drama Mattered
You can't talk about the cast of the super mario bros movie without mentioning the Chris Pratt of it all. For thirty years, Charles Martinet was the voice. He is Mario. So, when a guy from Guardians of the Galaxy stepped in with a Brooklyn-ish accent that felt a bit "normal," fans were skeptical.
Pratt didn't try to do a high-pitched caricature for the whole hour and a half. That would’ve been exhausting for the audience. Instead, the movie sets Mario up as a struggling plumber from Brooklyn. The voice is a bit rougher, a bit more human. It makes sense for a guy who’s just trying to save his brother and prove he's not a failure to his dad.
Speaking of his dad, the movie threw a massive bone to long-time fans. Charles Martinet didn't just sit this one out. He actually voiced Mario’s father and a character named Giuseppe. It was a passing of the torch that felt surprisingly respectful.
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The Power Trio: Peach, Luigi, and Toad
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Princess Peach was a huge pivot from the "save me" trope. This Peach is a leader. She’s the one training Mario on the obstacle course. Taylor-Joy brings a sort of regal authority that never feels stiff. She's kinda the actual hero for the first half of the film.
Then you’ve got Charlie Day as Luigi. Honestly, if you’re looking for someone to sound perpetually terrified while being chased by zombies or dry bones, there is nobody better than the guy from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. His frantic energy fits Luigi like a glove. He spends a lot of the movie separated from Mario, which was a bummer for some, but his performance makes those solo scenes work.
Keegan-Michael Key as Toad is another one people missed. He actually pitched his voice up so high it’s almost unrecognizable. He told interviewers he was basically trying to sound like he’d sucked on a helium balloon. It’s a far cry from his usual roles, and it gave Toad a personality that was more "eager adventurer" and less "generic NPC."
Jack Black Stole the Entire Show
Let’s be real. Jack Black as Bowser is the best thing about this movie. Period.
He didn't just voice a villain; he created a rockstar. Bowser is usually just a big, mean turtle who wants to kidnap a princess. In the hands of Jack Black, he becomes a hopeless romantic with a mean streak and a piano.
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The song "Peaches" was a total accident of brilliance. The directors, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, originally just wanted a short gag. Black took that idea, worked with his pianist, and turned it into a power ballad that eventually hit the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at No. 56, which is wild for a song about a Nintendo character.
Bowser’s voice has this gravelly, operatic quality. Black leans into the insecurity of the character. You almost feel bad for him when he’s practicing his proposal with a Kamek dressed as Peach—almost. Kevin Michael Richardson, who voices Kamek, plays the perfect "yes-man" to Black’s unhinged energy.
The Kongs and the Supporting Players
Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong was another "love it or hate it" choice. Rogen was very upfront about it: he doesn't do voices. He just sounds like Seth Rogen.
- Donkey Kong: Basically a frat boy with giant muscles.
- Cranky Kong: Voiced by Fred Armisen, who plays him like a disappointed, sarcastic father figure.
- Spike: Sebastian Maniscalco brings that old-school New York attitude to Mario’s former boss.
- Lumalee: The nihilistic little star who wants the sweet release of death? That’s actually Juliet Jelenic, the director's daughter.
The dynamic between Rogen’s DK and Pratt’s Mario is the heart of the second act. They hate each other. It’s a classic "buddy cop" vibe where they're forced to work together despite the fact that DK thinks Mario is a "little guy" and Mario thinks DK is an arrogant jerk. It works because it doesn't take itself too seriously.
What This Means for the Sequel
With a 2026 release date already being whispered about for a follow-up, the cast of the super mario bros movie is likely to expand. Rumors are already swirling about who might play Rosalina or Wario.
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The first movie proved that you can use big-name stars without losing the soul of the characters, as long as the actors actually give a damn about the source material. Jack Black has already expressed interest in a "Bowser's Revenge" style musical for the sequel. Given how much money the first one made, Nintendo and Illumination would be crazy not to let him run with it.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world behind the voices, check out the "Peaches" music video directed by Cole Bennett. It shows Jack Black in a full Bowser-themed suit, and it’s arguably more entertaining than some live-action movies.
For those wanting to track the legacy of these voices, your best bet is to:
- Watch the "Peaches" live performance from the Hollywood Bowl.
- Listen to the behind-the-scenes interviews with Keegan-Michael Key about his vocal training for Toad.
- Compare the Brooklyn accents in the movie to the original 1989 Super Mario Bros. Super Show to see how much the "voice of the people" has changed.
The era of the silent or one-phrase protagonist is over. Mario has a voice now, and even if it wasn't what we expected, it definitely found its rhythm.