Chris Pratt Says His Original Mario Voice Sounded Too Much Like Tony Soprano

Chris Pratt is set to voice the iconic video game character Mario in the upcoming film, The Super Mario Bros. However, in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pratt revealed that the directors, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, initially rejected his original voice for the character as it sounded too much like Tony Soprano from the HBO series The Sopranos.

Pratt said that he was up for the challenge of voicing the beloved Nintendo character, but the directors wanted him to avoid sounding like he was copying James Gandolfini’s famous character. “For a minute, I walked in and they were like, ‘That’s a little New Jersey. You’re doing a Tony Soprano thing,’” he said.

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Pratt’s co-star in the film, Charlie Day, who voices Luigi, also revealed that they had to experiment with different voices and tones for the characters. “We tried different things, different voices. Every now and then they would say, ‘Charlie, maybe a little less ‘Goodfellas’ in this one’ — I’m like, ‘Alright! I think you’re wrong, but fine!’ — until they landed on something they liked,” Day said.

Chris Pratt & Charlie Day At A Screening Of “The Super Mario Bros.”

The Super Mario Bros. movie has been in development since 2018, and the casting of Pratt as Mario received criticism from some fans who argued that the role should have gone to an Italian actor. However, Horvath defended the decision, stating that Pratt’s ability to play a blue-collar hero with a lot of heart made him the perfect fit for the role.

The film will follow the adventures of Mario and Luigi as they journey through the Mushroom Kingdom to save Princess Peach from the evil Bowser. It is set to be released on December 21, 2022, and will also star Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong.

Aside from his role in The Super Mario Bros., Pratt is also known for his roles in blockbuster hits like Guardians of the Galaxy, Jurassic World, and Avengers: Endgame. He has been praised for his ability to bring a sense of humor and heart to his roles, and his portrayal of Mario is expected to be no different.

Pratt and Day’s challenges in finding the right voice for their characters highlights the complexity of bringing animated characters to life. It’s not just about replicating the iconic catchphrases and mannerisms, but about crafting a fully-realized character with emotional depth and nuance. It’s clear that the directors and actors on The Super Mario Bros. are taking this challenge seriously, and fans are excited to see what they come up with.

The Super Mario Bros. franchise is one of the most beloved and recognizable video game franchises of all time, and the upcoming film is sure to be one of the most highly-anticipated releases of the year. With its star-studded cast and talented creative team, it’s clear that this film will be a labor of love for everyone involved, and fans are eager to see what the final product will look like.

“The Super Mario Bros.” Trailer