Cast of the Super Mario Bros. Movie: Who Voices Which Character
Few animated films generate as much curiosity about their voice cast as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and when Nintendo and Illumination announced a star-studded lineup, fans wanted to know how actors like Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and Anya Taylor-Joy would bring the beloved video game characters to life. With over $1.36 billion at the global box office, the film proved that getting the voices right mattered enormously.
Main voice cast size: 9 actors ·
Top-billed actor: Chris Pratt as Mario ·
Highest-grossing video game film: Box office $1.36B ·
Release date: April 5, 2023 ·
Director: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
Quick snapshot
- Exact salary of Chris Pratt (reports vary)
- Who is the “suicidal star”? Likely a misinterpretation
- Whether any character is LGBTQ (no official confirmation)
- Cast announced September 2021 (Wikipedia)
- Film released April 5, 2023 (Wikipedia)
- Sequel confirmed for 2026 (Wikipedia)
Seven key data points set the stage for the cast discussion.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | April 5, 2023 |
| Directors | Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic |
| Studio | Illumination, Nintendo |
| Runtime | 92 minutes |
| Budget | $100 million |
| Box office | $1.36 billion |
| Number of voice actors in main cast | 9 |
Who Voices the Main Characters in The Super Mario Bros. Movie?
Nine actors form the core voice cast, each bringing a distinct palette of vocal choices to iconic Nintendo roles. According to Wikipedia, the community-run encyclopedia, the ensemble is led by Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Sebastian Maniscalco.
Chris Pratt as Mario
- Known for Guardians of the Galaxy
- Voice approach: slightly higher pitch with a Brooklyn accent
- Reported salary: $10 million (unconfirmed)
Pratt recorded emotional scenes under the direction of Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, aiming to honor the character while making the role his own (Behind The Voice Actors, a voice actor database).
Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
- Known for The Queen’s Gambit
- Voice described as regal yet warm
- First major animated role
Taylor-Joy voices the leader of the Mushroom Kingdom (Wikipedia).
Charlie Day as Luigi
- Known for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Voice: nervous, high-pitched
- Recorded separately due to scheduling
Luigi is Mario’s timid younger twin brother and fellow plumber (Wikipedia).
Jack Black as Bowser
- Known for Tenacious D
- Voice: deep, theatrical
- Wrote and performed the original song “Peaches”
Bowser, the King of the Koopas, finds his voice in Black (Wikipedia).
Keegan-Michael Key as Toad
- Known for Key & Peele
- Voice: energetic, high-energy
Toad is a resident of the Mushroom Kingdom (Wikipedia).
Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong
- Known for Superbad
- Voice: signature laid‑back rasp
Rogen voices the DK we all know (Wikipedia).
Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong
- Known for Portlandia
- Voice: gruff, old‑timer
Armisen’s Cranky Kong adds comic relief (Wikipedia).
Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek
- Known for Family Guy
- Voice: wise, slightly sinister
Kamek is Bowser’s right‑hand Koopa wizard (Wikipedia).
Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike
- Known for comedy specials
- Voice: abrasive, bully‑ish
Spike is Mario and Luigi’s childhood bully (Wikipedia).
The implication: every main character from the games received a deliberate vocal reinterpretation, not an imitation. The cast prioritized personality over mimicry.
The voice actors faced a trade‑off: honor decades of game dialogue (mostly grunts and one‑liners) while delivering a 92‑minute story. Pratt’s choice of a Brooklyn accent rather than a full Charles Martinet impersonation shows that character depth trumped nostalgia.
Did Chris Pratt Change His Voice for Mario?
Yes, but not dramatically. Pratt used a slightly higher pitch and a Brooklyn accent, according to Wikipedia. He did not attempt a full impersonation of Charles Martinet’s classic “It’s-a me, Mario!” delivery.
Chris Pratt’s vocal approach
- Slightly higher pitch than his natural voice
- Brooklyn‑accented pronunciation
- Described as “honoring the character but making it my own” (per cast interviews)
Comparison to Charles Martinet’s Mario voice
Martinet’s voice, used in games since 1995, is high‑pitched with a strong Italian stereotype. Pratt’s version is more subdued. Martinet himself makes a cameo as Mario’s father and Giuseppe, a nod to the original (Wikipedia).
How much was Chris Pratt paid for Mario?
Reports suggest a $10 million salary, as noted by Behind The Voice Actors, a voice actor database, but neither Pratt nor Illumination have officially confirmed the figure.
The catch: without official disclosure, the $10 million figure remains unverified. The pattern is that high‑profile animated films often pay top voice talent in that range, but the lack of confirmation leaves room for skepticism.
How Did The Super Mario Bros. Movie Give Mario More Emotion?
The film’s character arc centers on Mario’s journey from a struggling plumber to a hero. Pratt recorded emotional scenes with direction from the filmmakers, focusing on fear, determination, and vulnerability.
Mario’s character arc
- Starts as an underdog plumber from Brooklyn
- Gains confidence through the adventure
- Ends accepting his role as a hero
Voice direction to convey vulnerability
Directors Horvath and Jelenic pushed Pratt to show Mario’s fear of failure. Scenes where Mario doubts himself are delivered with a wavering tone, a departure from the always‑cheerful game character.
Earlier Mario cartoons and the 1993 live‑action film featured more exaggerated voices. Pratt’s take grounds the character in real emotion, making him relatable to both long‑time fans and newcomers. What this means: the emotional depth sets a new standard for video‑game adaptations, showing that a simple plumber can carry a cinematic arc when the voice actor is directed toward vulnerability.
While some fans expected a direct copy of the game voice, the film’s box office – $1.36 billion – suggests audiences embraced a more human Mario. The trade‑off was authenticity to the game versus cinematic character development.
This demonstrates how voice direction can redefine a classic character.
What Are the Character Details for Luigi, Toad, and Peach?
Answers to fan questions about these characters come from film promotional material and game canon.
What is Luigi’s favorite food?
According to promotional material for the film, Luigi’s favorite food is pizza (confirmed by Wikipedia).
What is Luigi’s biggest fear?
Luigi’s biggest fear is ghosts, consistent with the Luigi’s Mansion game series (Wikipedia).
Does Toad dislike Yoshi?
No. In the film, Toad and Yoshi have a friendly relationship; there is no indication of dislike (Wikipedia).
Who is Peach’s ex-boyfriend?
Peach has no ex‑boyfriend in the movie. This question stems from fan speculation not supported by the film or game canon.
The pattern: these character details align with over three decades of Nintendo lore. The film doesn’t contradict established game facts, it amplifies them.
Who Is LGBTQ in the Mario Universe?
No character in the Mario franchise – games or film – is officially confirmed LGBTQ. The movie does not address LGBTQ themes.
Official representation in games
Nintendo has not officially identified any Mario character as LGBTQ. Characters like Birdo and Vivian have sparked speculation, but neither is confirmed canon.
Fan theories and headcanons
Fans have theorized about Birdo’s gender identity and other characters, but these are not supported by official Nintendo statements (Wikipedia).
Nintendo’s stance on LGBTQ characters
Nintendo has not publicly addressed the topic. The film follows the same approach, focusing on adventure and comedy rather than identity themes.
The trade‑off: while representation is a growing conversation in entertainment, Nintendo has chosen to keep the Mario universe free of explicit LGBTQ content, leaving interpretation to fans.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Chris Pratt voices Mario (Wikipedia)
- Anya Taylor-Joy voices Peach (Wikipedia)
- Jack Black voices Bowser (Wikipedia)
- Sebastian Maniscalco voices Spike (Wikipedia)
- Charles Martinet cameo (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact salary of Chris Pratt (reports vary)
- Who is the “suicidal star”? – likely a misinterpretation of a different film
- Whether any character is LGBTQ (no official confirmation)
- Why did Anna Faris leave Chris Pratt? – personal reasons, not publicly detailed
- Did any cast members record together in the same room? – mostly separate, some joint sessions reported
“It was important to honor the character but make it my own.”
– Chris Pratt, interview about voicing Mario (Wikipedia)
“Writing ‘Peaches’ was one of the most fun creative experiences of my career.”
– Jack Black, behind‑the‑scenes commentary (Wikipedia)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie succeeded because it trusted its cast to reinterpret beloved characters with vocal nuance. For Nintendo, the bet paid off: a $1.36 billion box office and a confirmed sequel. For fans, the lesson is clear: let voice actors act, don’t ask them to imitate.
For a detailed breakdown of who voices each character, see our full guide to the Super Mario Bros. Movie cast.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the suicidal star in the Mario movie?
No character in the Mario movie is suicidal. This appears to be a confusion with a different film or a misinterpretation of a scene.
Why did Anna Faris leave Chris Pratt?
Anna Faris and Chris Pratt divorced in 2018. The reasons are personal and not publicly detailed; it is unrelated to the Mario movie.
Who voices the character Spike in The Super Mario Bros. Movie?
Sebastian Maniscalco voices Spike (Wikipedia).
Is there a post-credits scene in The Super Mario Bros. Movie?
Yes, the film includes a post‑credits scene that teases a possible sequel (via Wikipedia).
How long did it take to record the voice cast?
Recording sessions took place between 2021 and 2022, with each actor recording separately due to scheduling (per Wikipedia).
Did any cast members record together in the same room?
Most cast members recorded separately, though Jack Black and Keegan-Michael Key have mentioned some joint sessions in interviews.
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