Travel

Chris Pratt discusses the hostile reaction to his casting as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Chris Pratt has discussed the hostile reaction he received when he was cast as Mario in the 1993 live-action adaptation of the classic video game franchise, The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the Jurassic World star said the reaction to his casting was not what he expected. “I was a young actor and I was really excited that I got the role, but I was quickly met with a very hostile reaction from the hardcore Mario Bros. fans,” Pratt said.

He added: “It was a lot of pressure, but I was up for the challenge and I think I did an okay job. I was still learning my craft back then and I think I’ve grown a lot since then.”

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a critical and commercial failure, but Pratt said it was a great learning experience. He said he was able to observe the “great actors” he was working with, including Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, Samantha Mathis, and Dennis Hopper.

Pratt also said that he has a newfound appreciation for the original video game. “I’m a much bigger fan of the original Super Mario Bros. now than I was when I was first cast in the movie,” he said. “I’m just glad that I was able to be a part of it.”

The Super Mario Bros. Movie may not have been a success, but Chris Pratt’s career has certainly taken off since then. He is now one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, appearing in blockbusters such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. It’s clear that his experience working on The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a valuable learning experience for him.