Few video game characters are as iconic as the red shirt & overalls wearing Italian plumbers from Mario Bros. Since the original game’s release in 1983, Mario & Luigi have been some of the most recognizable faces in the video game space. Besides one flop of a live-action movie (though many have since defended it) thirty years ago, the Mushroom Kingdom and its citizens have been relegated to the digital space. That's all about the change with Illumination and Universal Pictures’ upcoming take on the franchise. Despite a gorgeously faithful trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, many fans were unhappy with the studio’s decision to cast Chris Pratt in the lead, taking to social media to roast the actor’s work. Pratt is now addressing the backlash and, amid it all, he’s “grateful.”
Chris Pratt and Charlie Day (the voice of Luigi) recently sat down for an interview with io9 to promote their upcoming video game adaptation and discuss the responsibility of stepping into the beloved franchise. Even though Pratt is no stranger to large franchises and fan scrutiny, the Lego Movie actor says he feels the most responsibility stepping into the skin of the turtle-stomping heroes. While addressing the fan backlash surrounding the voice casting, the actor said he understands their feelings. He told the publication:
