Chris Pratt Mario: How He Became the Voice of Mario

When Chris Pratt was announced as the voice of Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the casting decision immediately attracted attention from video game fans and movie audiences. Mario is one of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters, and his distinctive voice had become closely associated with decades of games. Choosing a Hollywood actor known for blockbuster franchises therefore raised an important question: how would Chris Pratt bring the famous plumber to life?

The answer lies in a combination of voice acting, character interpretation, animation, and the filmmakers’ approach to adapting a beloved video game series for the big screen. Released in 2023, The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduced Mario to a new generation of viewers while drawing on the character’s long history.

The connection between Chris Pratt and Mario goes beyond casting a familiar celebrity. It highlights the challenges of adapting an established gaming character for cinema, balancing audience expectations with a fresh performance, and creating a version of Mario that works in a feature-length animated adventure.

This article explores how Pratt landed the role, what makes his portrayal different from the original video game voice, how the film developed Mario’s character, and why the casting remains an interesting part of the franchise’s history.

Key Takeaways

• Chris Pratt voices Mario in the 2023 animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

• The film was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with a screenplay by Matthew Fogel.

• Pratt’s Mario uses a more natural, conversational voice than the exaggerated Italian-accented performance familiar from many Nintendo games.

• Charles Martinet, Mario’s longtime video game voice actor, appears in the film in supporting voice roles.

• The movie follows Mario and Luigi as they enter the Mushroom Kingdom and become involved in a conflict with Bowser.

• The casting illustrates how filmmakers can adapt a familiar video game character while preserving recognizable elements of the original.

Chris Pratt Biography

Chris Pratt is an American actor who became internationally recognized through television comedy and major film franchises. Before taking on Mario, he had already established himself as a leading performer in action, science-fiction, and adventure films.

The following table summarizes publicly known biographical details about Pratt.

How Chris Pratt Became the Voice of Mario

The announcement that Chris Pratt would voice Mario came in September 2021, when Nintendo and Illumination revealed the principal English-language voice cast for their upcoming animated film.

Pratt was a recognizable choice because of his experience in comedy and action-oriented roles. His performances in Parks and Recreation and the Guardians of the Galaxy films demonstrated his ability to combine humor, confidence, and emotional sincerity.

Mario, however, presented a different challenge. The character was already familiar to audiences worldwide, particularly through his energetic personality and the distinctive voice used in Nintendo games.

Why the Filmmakers Chose Chris Pratt

The filmmakers needed an actor who could carry a feature-length story rather than simply reproduce Mario’s short phrases from video games.

A cinematic Mario needed to express a wider range of emotions, including uncertainty, determination, frustration, excitement, and affection for his brother Luigi.

Pratt’s experience with both comedy and action helped him approach these demands. His established screen persona also made him recognizable to audiences who might not regularly play Nintendo games.

The casting was part of a broader strategy to assemble a well-known ensemble for a family-friendly animated adventure. The production paired Pratt with Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, and Seth Rogen.

The Official Casting Announcement

Nintendo and Illumination announced Pratt as Mario on September 24, 2021. The announcement also confirmed the actors playing Princess Peach, Luigi, Bowser, Toad, and other familiar characters.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the Nintendo creator closely associated with Mario’s development, was involved in producing the film alongside Illumination founder Chris Meledandri.

The project was designed to translate the visual world, characters, and playful spirit of the games into a theatrical animated experience.

What Is Different About Chris Pratt’s Mario Voice?

One of the most discussed aspects of the casting was the sound of Mario’s voice. Players familiar with the games had grown accustomed to a high-energy performance featuring an exaggerated Italian accent and expressive catchphrases.

Pratt’s interpretation takes a different approach.

A More Conversational Performance

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario speaks in a relatively natural American voice. His dialogue is designed to work across complete conversations and dramatic scenes, rather than relying primarily on short exclamations.

This approach gives the character room to communicate frustration, courage, vulnerability, and humor. It also makes Mario’s exchanges with Luigi and the other characters feel more like those of a traditional animated-film protagonist.

The choice reflects an important difference between video games and movies. A game character may repeat a small set of recognizable phrases, while a film protagonist needs to sustain dialogue throughout an entire narrative.

Keeping Mario Recognizable

Changing the voice does not mean abandoning the character’s identity.

The film retains Mario’s familiar visual design, adventurous personality, determination, and strong connection with Luigi. His enthusiasm and willingness to face difficult challenges also reflect qualities that have defined the character across the franchise.

The result is a version of Mario that preserves the essential character while adjusting his delivery for a different medium.

Why the Voice Sparked Debate

Some longtime fans preferred the distinctive performance associated with the games, while others appreciated Pratt’s more conversational interpretation.

The debate illustrates how strongly audiences connect fictional characters with the actors and sounds that bring them to life. A voice can become part of a character’s identity, making any significant change noticeable.

Neither approach needs to serve exactly the same purpose. A video game voice is often designed for immediate recognition, whereas a film performance must support extended dialogue and character development.

Chris Pratt vs. Charles Martinet: Who Voices Mario?

Charles Martinet played a central role in establishing Mario’s familiar English-language voice in the video games. His expressive delivery helped make the character instantly recognizable to generations of players.

Pratt and Martinet therefore represent two different stages in Mario’s entertainment history.

Charles Martinet’s Contribution to the Film

Martinet appears in The Super Mario Bros. Movie in supporting voice roles rather than voicing the main version of Mario. His involvement provides a connection between the movie and the franchise’s video game history.

His contribution also highlights the distinction between replacing a performance in one medium and erasing the legacy of the original performer. Pratt’s casting for the film did not change the importance of Martinet’s work in the games.

Which Performance Is Better?

There is no objective answer because the performances serve different purposes.

Players who grew up with the games may prefer Martinet’s familiar vocal style. Viewers who approach Mario primarily through the animated film may find Pratt’s delivery more natural for a feature-length story.

A useful comparison considers how effectively each performance communicates the character in its intended format, rather than expecting the voices to sound identical.

What Is The Super Mario Bros. Movie About?

The film’s official synopsis describes Mario and Luigi as Brooklyn plumbers whose adventure takes them into the Mushroom Kingdom.

Released in 2023, The Super Mario Bros. Movie adapts Nintendo’s popular video game franchise into an animated adventure. The story introduces Mario and Luigi as brothers trying to establish themselves as plumbers before a mysterious pipe transports them into a fantastical world.

Mario becomes separated from Luigi and discovers the Mushroom Kingdom, where he encounters Princess Peach and other inhabitants. As the adventure unfolds, he must find his brother and help confront Bowser, a powerful villain who threatens the kingdom.

Mario’s Character Development

The movie gives Mario a more detailed personal story than the games typically require. He is brave and determined, but he is not immediately an expert at everything he attempts.

His journey involves learning unfamiliar skills, navigating a strange environment, and proving that courage does not require being fearless from the beginning.

This character development gives Pratt opportunities to portray more than excitement and action. His Mario can express doubt, frustration, affection, and determination, making him suitable for a story aimed at both longtime fans and new audiences.

Mario and Luigi’s Relationship

The relationship between Mario and Luigi is central to the film. Their bond gives the adventure an emotional foundation beyond the familiar references to video games.

Mario’s determination to find his brother helps explain his willingness to face danger. It also gives viewers a clear reason to care about the outcome of his journey.

This focus on family makes the film accessible to people who may not know the franchise’s extensive gaming history.

The Main Voice Cast of The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The film’s voice cast combines established Hollywood performers with characters that have been familiar to Nintendo fans for decades.

The ensemble helps create a range of personalities, comedic styles, and dramatic interactions. Pratt’s performance sits at the center of that group, while the other actors give Mario characters to challenge, support, and interact with throughout the story.

How Chris Pratt Prepared for the Mario Role

Voice acting for an animated film differs from performing in front of a camera. Actors must communicate a character’s personality through vocal delivery while the animation supplies the facial expressions, physical movements, and visual reactions.

For a character as recognizable as Mario, the process also involves respecting established audience expectations.

Matching the Character to the Story

Mario’s familiar qualities include optimism, courage, enthusiasm, and persistence. These traits give the filmmakers a foundation for a cinematic interpretation.

Pratt’s delivery needed to suit Mario’s dialogue, the film’s humor, and its more emotional moments. A performance that worked for a brief video game catchphrase would not necessarily work for an extended conversation with Luigi.

Working Within Animation

Animated performances develop through collaboration between actors, directors, writers, and animators. The spoken dialogue must work with the timing of the animation and the movement of the characters.

In a fast-moving adventure, vocal pacing can influence how an action scene or joke feels. A line delivered too slowly may weaken a joke, while an overly exaggerated reaction can change the tone of a dramatic moment.

The film’s directors, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, guided the production, with Matthew Fogel writing the screenplay.

Balancing Familiarity With a New Interpretation

The central challenge was to make Mario feel familiar without simply reproducing every element of his video game performance.

The filmmakers retained recognizable character traits and visual details while allowing the movie’s dialogue and story to establish a slightly different presentation. Pratt’s voice was one part of that broader adaptation.

How Audiences Responded to Chris Pratt as Mario

The casting generated discussion before the film’s release, particularly among fans who associated Mario with Martinet’s established voice.

Much of the conversation focused on whether Pratt’s natural speaking voice could capture the character’s distinctive personality. The issue was not simply whether he sounded like the video game version; it was whether his performance would feel convincing within the movie.

Expectations From Longtime Fans

Longtime players often approach adaptations with clear expectations. They may have spent years hearing the same character voice in games, promotional material, and other franchise appearances.

That familiarity can make a new interpretation feel unfamiliar at first. It can also encourage closer attention to details that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Accessibility for New Viewers

A theatrical film also needs to appeal to viewers who may not have played Mario games. A conversational performance can help audiences follow a story built around longer exchanges and character relationships.

Pratt’s casting therefore reflects a balance between serving an established fan base and making Mario accessible to a wider movie audience.

The Film’s Place in Mario’s Legacy

The 2023 movie demonstrated that Mario could be adapted into a feature-length animated adventure with a distinct cinematic identity. It brought together the franchise’s recognizable characters, settings, and humor within a story structured around family, courage, and teamwork.

The film was followed by The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, another animated feature released in 2026, with Pratt returning among the voice cast. This continued role reinforces his association with Mario’s film adaptations.

1. Does Chris Pratt voice Mario?

Yes. Chris Pratt voices Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and returns to the role in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026).

2. Why did Chris Pratt get the role of Mario?

Pratt was selected as part of the film’s ensemble voice cast. His experience in comedy and action films made him a recognizable choice for a family-oriented animated adventure.

3. Is Chris Pratt replacing Charles Martinet?

Pratt voices Mario in the animated films, while Martinet remains closely associated with Mario’s video game voice history. The film casting does not erase Martinet’s contribution to the franchise.

4. Does Chris Pratt use an Italian accent for Mario?

Pratt’s portrayal uses a more conversational American voice rather than the exaggerated Italian-accented style familiar from many Mario games.

5. When was The Super Mario Bros. Movie released?

The film was released in theaters in 2023. Universal Pictures distributed it worldwide, with release dates varying by market.

6. Who voices Luigi in The Super Mario Bros. Movie?

Charlie Day voices Luigi, Mario’s brother and close companion. Their relationship is an important part of the film’s story.

7. Who voices Bowser in the Mario movie?

Jack Black voices Bowser, the film’s principal antagonist. His performance combines the character’s threatening presence with comedic elements.

8. Is Chris Pratt in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie?

Yes. Chris Pratt returns as Mario in the 2026 animated sequel, continuing his role in the franchise’s cinematic adaptations.

Conclusion

Chris Pratt’s casting as Mario brought a new interpretation to one of the most recognizable characters in video game history. His conversational delivery differs from Charles Martinet’s iconic game performance, but the two approaches serve different storytelling needs.

In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Pratt portrays Mario as a determined, imperfect, and courageous character whose relationship with Luigi gives the adventure its emotional foundation. The film combines familiar Nintendo elements with a story designed for a broad theatrical audience.

Understanding the connection between Chris Pratt and Mario means looking beyond the voice itself. The casting reflects the challenges of adapting a beloved character, meeting established fan expectations, and creating a performance that works in a different medium. With Pratt returning for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, his portrayal has become an important part of Mario’s continuing cinematic history.