There continues to be a lot of discussion surrounding The Super Mario Bros. Movie, though much of it focuses on its A-List cast.
Despite some expected backlash, the first trailer for Mario's long-overdue big screen return received a mostly positive response online. However, Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt's take on the character has been predictably divisive, with many arguing he basically just sounds like...Chris Pratt.
That's a departure from the video game Mario, though what little we've heard suggests the actor has added a little flair to the hero. Charlie Day, meanwhile, is going to lend his voice to Luigi, and Seth Rogen has been tapped to star as Donkey Kong.
Now, thanks to a newly released TV spot (via Toonado.com), we get to hear the latter's take on the iconic video game character. It's clearly Rogen lending his voice to Kong, and like Pratt, he hasn't really done much to change his voice for this performance; then again, we can't imagine that's what Illumination wanted!
Whether these actors are the right choice to play these iconic characters remains up for debate, but we never expected the studio to enlist those who lend their voices to the games. Many fans might have preferred that, but it's not really how big budget adaptations like this one work, and Rogen's Donkey Kong will likely be a big draw to regular moviegoers.
On another note, we get a deep-cut Easter Egg here when Mario takes on his "Cat Mario" form!
Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel (Minions: The Rise of Gru), the film also stars Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek, and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is set to be released in theaters on April 7, 2023.