Super Mario Bros. Directors defend Chris Pratt

CHRIS PRATT Mario’s voice role Super Mario Bros. Movie has been the subject of controversy ever since it was cast.

Many fans were baffled when the film’s first trailer was released last October, featuring Pratt Mario’s Brooklyn voice.

However, the criticism did not bother the film’s directors Michael Jelenick and Aaron Horvath, who now argue that the casting made sense.

“It’s a bit of an origin story. This is the story of how Mario becomes Super Mario,” Horvath said in an interview. Total Film magazine

“(Pratt) is really good as a working hero with a big heart. From the way Mario is presented in our film, he’s perfect for this.”

One of the film’s biggest detractors so far has been John Leguizamo, who brought Luigi to life alongside Bob Hoskins’ Mario in the 1993 live-action film. Super Mario Bros..

The actor told IndieWire last year that the upcoming movie went “backwards” due to Mario and Luigi being voiced by two white actors; It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor Charlie Day voices Luigi in the film.

“My directors Annabel Yankel and Rocky Morton fought really hard to get me to play the lead because I was Hispanic and (the studio) didn’t want me to play the lead,” Leguizamo added.

“They fought very hard and it was a real breakthrough. So that they back off and not abandon another [actor of colour] kinda sucks.”

Super Mario Bros. Movie comes out in theaters next month.

Watch the official trailer below: