Voice Actors for the Mario Movie, Who are the Voice Cast of the Movie?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Apr 13, 2023
Voice Actors for the Mario Movie
Based on the iconic video game franchise, the upcoming Mario movie has generated a lot of buzz among fans of the game. The film is set to be released in December 2022. Directed by Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the Super Mario Bros. games, the film promises to bring the beloved game characters to life on the big screen in an exciting and fun-filled adventure for audiences of all ages.
The voice actors for the animated movie adaptation of the popular video game franchise, Super Mario Bros, have been announced. Chris Pratt, best known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Jurassic World franchise, will voice the iconic character of Mario. Charlie Day of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame will voice Luigi, Mario's younger brother. The role of Princess Peach will be voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy, who gained critical acclaim for her performances in films like The Queen's Gambit and Split.
Jack Black will lend his voice to the villainous Bowser, while Keegan-Michael Key will voice the beloved character Toad. Seth Rogen, known for his comedic roles in films like Superbad and Pineapple Express, will voice Donkey Kong, and Fred Armisen will voice Cranky Kong.
Who are the Voice Actors for Super Mario Movie?
The famous plumbing duo, Mario and Luigi, are set to make a big-screen comeback. Alongside Princess Peach and Toad, they will embark on a journey through the Mushroom Kingdom to defeat their arch-nemesis, Bowser. The last time the brothers appeared on the silver screen was in 1993's Super Mario Bros., following 1986's Super Mario Bros: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach. As Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic's The Super Mario Bros. Movie hits theaters, we've compiled a list of the main characters and their star-studded voice actors. Here we listed below the voice actors.
Chris Pratt
Mario
Charlie Day
Luigi
Anya Taylor-Joy
Princess Peach
Jack Black
Bowser
Keegan-Michael Key
Toad
Seth Rogen
Donkey Kong
Fred Armisen
Cranky Kong
Sebastian Maniscalco
Spike
Kevin Michael Richardson
Kamek
Charles Martinet
Mario’s Dad/Giuseppe
Jessica DiCicco
Mario’s Mom
Rino Romano
Uncle Tony
John DiMaggio
Uncle Arthur
Khary Payton
Penguin King
Juliet Jelenic
Lumalee
Scott Menville
Koopa General
Eric Bauza
Koopa Troopa Soldiers
Voice Actors
Characters
Who Voiced Mario in the Movie?
Chris Pratt lends his voice to the lead character, Mario, the Brooklyn plumber who unexpectedly transforms into the hero of Mushroom Kingdom after falling through a mystical pipe into a magical new world.
Upon the initial announcement that the Guardians of the Galaxy star would be playing Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, some fans criticized the decision, arguing that he didn't have an Italian-sounding voice. However, Pratt has since addressed the backlash, stating to Variety that he was "taken aback" but he hopes that "viewers will approach the movie with an open mind and that any criticism around Mario's accent will vanish once they see the film."
In addition to his role in the MCU, Pratt is recognized for his significant franchise performances, including his portrayal of Owen Grady in the Jurassic World movies.
Who Voices Peach in the Mario Movie?
Princess Peach is known for her bold personality and strength, and in the upcoming film, she will be voiced by the accomplished actress, Anya Taylor-Joy.
Although the character maintains her signature pink dress and blonde hair, the 2023 version of Peach has been updated, which was a crucial factor for Taylor Joy before accepting the role. During an interview with Slash Film, the actress revealed that she was "thrilled" but wanted to ensure that Princess Peach was "a modern leader." Taylor Joy stated, "She has her own agency, and I believed that we could develop a more multifaceted character."
Taylor-Joy is a seasoned actress who has starred in a variety of movies and television series, including Split and The Witch, as well as The Queen's Gambit and Peaky Blinders.
Who Voices Donkey Kong in the Mario Movie?
Seth Rogen lends his voice to Donkey Kong, the powerful and easygoing ape with the potential for his own standalone movie. Rogen has expressed interest in future collaborations with the character, citing the importance of family dynamics as seen in the Fast and Furious franchise. In voicing Donkey Kong, Rogen's natural laid-back style is a perfect fit. He is widely recognized for his roles in comedy films such as Superbad, Knocked Up, and Pineapple Express.
Other Voice Actors for Mario Movie
Here are the details about other voice actors in the Mario movie.
Charlie Day - Luigi
No Mario adventure would be complete without his beloved brother, Luigi, who is played by actor Charlie Day in the film.
Although the character was a personal childhood favorite of Day's, perfecting the voice was no easy task. The actor joked in the same interview, "They kept reminding me, 'This is Super Mario, not Goodfellas.' But it's always a process. When doing voiceover work, you have to approach it with a childlike sense of 'Let's try anything.'"
Most viewers are likely familiar with Day's work as Charlie Kelly on the FX comedy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Jack Black – Bowser
The energetic Jack Black has landed the role of the main antagonist, Bowser, in the film.
For those curious about whether Black incorporates any of his musical abilities into the character, the actor confirmed during the reveal event at New York Comic Con in October 2022 that he "rocked out a bit" while voicing the King Koopa.
When he's not busy with music, Black infuses his distinctive humor into films like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Kung Fu Panda or blends the two together in a movie like School of Rock.
Keegan-Michael Key - Toad
Keegan-Michael Key, who plays the anthropomorphic mushroom Toad, showcases his singing skills in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
In an interview with Variety, the actor, comedian, and Broadway performer revealed that he was given the freedom to "improvise a song in Super Mario Bros." and described the experience as "an absolute blast."
Key is best known for co-creating and co-starring in Comedy Central's sketch series Key & Peele with Jordan Peele from 2012 to 2015. He has since appeared in numerous TV shows, including Fargo and Parks and Recreation. In 2017, Key made his Broadway debut in the play Meteor Shower.
Fred Armisen - Cranky Kong
Fred Armisen will be lending his voice to the role of Cranky Kong, Donkey Kong's grumpy grandfather in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While there seems to be some confusion among fans regarding the character's relation to Donkey Kong, he is known for his witty remarks and snarky attitude. Apart from his acting work, Armisen is also a drummer for the house band of Late Night with Seth Meyers and a former cast member of Saturday Night Live.
Sebastian Maniscalco - Spike
Sebastian Maniscalco lends his voice to the obscure character Foreman Spike, who made his debut in the 1985 video game Wrecking Crew. In the game, Spike's role was to obstruct the players and prevent them from making progress like Mario and/or Luigi. However, in the Super Mario Bros. movie, Spike is depicted more as an annoyance to the main characters rather than a hindrance.
Kevin Michael Richardson - Kamek
Jack Black’s Bowser has his right-hand man in Kevin Michael Richardson’s Kamek, the Koopa Wizard who is the absolute epitome of a loyal lackey, never daring to speak out against his boss. Kamek appears content in his role as Bowser’s right-hand man, even going so far as to dress up as Princess Peach and pretend to marry his boss.
Charles Martinet - Mario’s Dad/Giuseppe
Mario’s rarely-seen family members finally make an appearance in the movie, with Charles Martinet, the original voice actor for Mario, playing the role of Mario’s father, affectionately known as Papa Mario. Interestingly, Martinet’s first appearance in the Mario franchise was actually in a short anime video released in Japan in 1989.
In addition to his role as Papa Mario, Martinet also lends his voice to Giuseppe, a character who does Mario impressions by the arcade cabinet in the Punch-Out Pizza restaurant.
Jessica DiCicco - Mario’s Mom
Although Mama Mario isn't a frequently appearing character in the franchise, she does have a brief appearance in Universal's adventure movie and is voiced by Jessica DiCicco. Despite the role being relatively small, it's still a noteworthy project for DiCicco given the popularity of the IP. The actress has previously played recurring roles in popular shows such as Nickelodeon's The Loud House and Disney's Puppy Dog Pals.
Rino Romano - Uncle Tony
In The Super Mario Bros. movie, the character of Uncle Tony is introduced to expand Mario's family, although he has not appeared in any previous Mario projects. The voice actor for Uncle Tony is Rino Romano, who is also known for his role as Darth Revan in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003) and as the narrator for the animated series Curious George for a 15-year period.
John DiMaggio - Uncle Arthur
John DiMaggio, a renowned voice actor known for his roles such as Bender in Futurama, Jake in Adventure Time, and King Zøg in Disenchantment, lends his voice to Uncle Arthur in the recent animated Super Mario Bros. movie. Despite the character's limited screen time, DiMaggio's inclusion in the cast adds further depth to the talent involved. He is also set to voice Stratosphere in the upcoming Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, slated for release on June 9th.
Khary Payton - Penguin King
The voice actor Khary Payton portrays the Penguin King in the film, who, like Luigi, is seen mostly in a cage. Despite the character's limited screen time, Payton has an impressive resume similar to DiMaggio. He has provided his voice for significant roles such as Cyborg in Teen Titans (for more than 400 episodes) and is also an accomplished live-action actor, having played King Ezekiel in The Walking Dead.
Juliet Jelenic - Lumalee
Juliet Jelenic, daughter of co-director Michael Jelenic, brings some of the biggest laughs to The Super Mario Bros. movie with her portrayal of Lumalee. Lumalee is the optimistic and cheerful prisoner who keeps everyone's spirits up, despite being locked up above a lava pit in Bowser's lair.
Scott Menville - Koopa General
Scott Menville, known for his role as Robin in Teen Titans, lends his voice to the Koopa responsible for the infamous Blue Shell in the Super Mario Bros. movie. The character is first seen restraining the Penguin King at the beginning of the film and later joins the Koopa army in chasing down the heroes on Rainbow Road.
Eric Bauza - Koopa Troopa Soldiers
Finally, Eric Bauza is the voice actor behind the Koopa Troopa army in the film. Bauza's impressive voice-acting resume includes various animation series such as Hulu's The Mighty Ones, YouTube's Woody Woodpecker, and Cartoonito's Bugs Bunny Builders.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a 2023 American computer-animated adventure film, is based on Nintendo's iconic Mario video game franchise. Produced by Illumination, Universal Pictures, and Nintendo, and distributed by Universal, the film was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with a screenplay written by Matthew Fogel. The star-studded voice cast includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Fred Armisen. The movie showcases the origin story of the Italian-American plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, who are transported to an alternate world and get involved in a battle between the Mushroom Kingdom, led by Princess Peach, and the Koopas, led by Bowser.
After the disappointment of the 1993 live-action Mario film, Nintendo was hesitant to license its intellectual properties for movie adaptations. However, Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto became interested in developing another film while bringing older games to the Virtual Console service. Through Nintendo's partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts to create Super Nintendo World, Miyamoto met Illumination founder Chris Meledandri. By 2016, the two started discussing a Mario movie, and in January 2018, Nintendo announced a collaboration with Illumination and Universal to produce it. Production started in 2020, and the cast was unveiled in September 2021.
On April 5, 2023, The Super Mario Bros. Movie was released in theaters in the United States. The movie garnered mixed reviews from critics but has been a commercial success, earning $420 million worldwide. It currently holds the position of the fourth highest-grossing film of 2023 and has broken box office records, including the largest opening weekend for an animated movie worldwide and the biggest domestic debut for a film adapted from a video game.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie Review
With the success of recent game adaptations like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Hollywood has redeemed itself from past failures. Nintendo's reluctance to license its IP for movies following the 1993 Mario film meant that Illumination's new adventure was eagerly awaited. And it does not disappoint.
Jack Black voices Bowser, who takes over the Dark Lands in the film's opening scenes. Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), two Italian-American plumbers in Brooklyn, soon find themselves transported to Bowser's world, with Luigi becoming his prisoner. Mario teams up with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Toad (Keegan-Michael Key) to rescue his brother. The movie offers humor, vibrant colors, and excitement, making it entertaining for all ages.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is packed with references and easter eggs that will delight fans of the games. Scenes from video games are recreated on screen, and the humor is excellent. However, the film's thin story feels like it is merely a vehicle for nostalgia, and while that may be its greatest strength, it is also its greatest weakness. Overall, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a fun adventure that captures the essence of the beloved video game franchise.
Although The Super Mario Bros. Movie delivers pure entertainment and nostalgia, its pacing is too rapid, with no room for character development or depth. Despite the underdog storyline and the basics of a good adventure, the film lacks heart and soul, which prevents it from reaching its full potential. With only 92 minutes of runtime, this movie could have used more breathing room to allow the sequences to flourish.
Regarding the voice cast, Chris Pratt's performance as Mario is excellent, despite initial skepticism about his portrayal. He manages to strike a balance between the iconic Mario voice and his own voice, giving the character a suitable Brooklyn accent and nailing every catchphrase. The entire comedic cast brings their best to elevate the irreverent humor within the film.
Voice Actors for the Mario Movie - FAQs
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a 2023 American computer-animated adventure film based on Nintendo's Mario video game franchise.
The movie was produced by Illumination, Universal Pictures, and Nintendo.
The movie features an origin story for the brothers Mario and Luigi, Italian-American plumbers who are transported to an alternate world and become entangled in a battle between the Mushroom Kingdom, led by Princess Peach, and the Koopas, led by Bowser.
The movie grossed $420 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest grossing film of 2023.