Illumination and Nintendo’s collaboration on the nostalgic and wondrous world ofSuper Mariofor the big screen has finally arrived. The Super Mario Bros. Movie features an ensemble of the most adored characters from the games with some excellent talent behind them. The sheer list of names appearing from the acting and comedy world will likely leave you exclaiming wahoo!
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With a movie of this scale encapsulating decades of Mario spin-off entries and characters, there are bound to be tons of Easter eggs and surprise characters in store, as well as some unique cameos from the traditional characters' voice actors. But here we examine the main actors and where you might’ve seen some of them before.
9Penguin King - Khary Payton
Somebody has to rule overthose adorable blue penguinsyou encounter on various maps across Mario games, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie introduces you to their king. The Penguin King is donned in a gold crown and a warm hide cloak, and the voice behind this character is no stranger to portraying royalty.
Khary Payton has played the iconic King Ezekiel on AMC’s The Walking Dead from its seventh season to the series finale, alongside his pet tiger Shiva. And when he’s not taking down groups like the Whisperers, Saviors, and The Commonwealth, you can also catch his voice as Cyborg in multiple DC animated projects like Injustice, Teen Titans, and Teen Titans GO!, as well as Killer Croc in Arkham Origins.
8Cranky Kong - Fred Armisen
Sitting high and mighty on his throne and lacking any patience for unnecessary antics and nonsense, the bespectacled and beardedgrandfather of Donkey Kong, Cranky Kong, makes a hilarious on-screen presence in the film. That’s also probably due to the fact legendary comedy icon Fred Armisen is the voice of Cranky.
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Fred Armisen has quite a lengthy resume for his contributions to the comedic world. He’s been on 11 seasons of Saturday Night Live, often having memorable cameos in movies with fellow alums, created and starred in Portlandia, voiced Speedy Gonzales in The Looney Tunes Show, and a variety of characters in Big Mouth. Armisen is also a collaborator musician for fellow SNL alum Seth Meyers' late-night show.
7Kamek - Kevin Michael Richardson
It’s only fitting that the cloaked magical Koopa wizard and advisor to Bowser, Kamek, is voiced by an actual wizard when it comes to voices. Kevin Michael Richardson has played a plethora of notable animated television characters in the series on FOX from Seth McFarlane and Matt Groening.
A few of those include Cleveland Brown Jr. in The Cleveland Show and Family Guy, Jerome in Family Guy, Dr. Hibbert in The Simpsons, and Principal Lewis in American Dad! He also has voiced major DC characters in animated shows like Martian Manhunter in Young Justice and The Joker in The Batman. Not to mention The Shredder in Nickelodeon’s animated TMNT and Maurice in The Penguins of Madagascar.
Keegan-Michael Key, the former co-host of Comedy Central’s sketch comedy series Key & Peele and former cast member of Mad TV, lends his voice to the silly and cute confidant of Princess Peach. Toad still has his signature red-dotted mushroom cap and baby-like appearance, and his mannerisms are super enthusiastic and anxiously cheerful.
Some of Keegan-Michael Key’s other voicework includes Murray the Mummy in the Hotel Transylvania sequels, the narrator in Netflix’s Green Eggs and Ham adaptation, and appearances in shows like Archer and Bojack Horseman. You’ll also see him in Keanu, The Predator, Friends from College, and the musical comedy series Schmigadoon!
5Donkey Kong - Seth Rogen
The original barrel-throwing gorilla boss in the 1981 arcade game that introduced Mario, who would later receive plenty of his own platformer spin-off games, becomes an essential cast member in the fight against Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. movie. Instantly recognizable as the voice of Donkey Kong is comedy actor, writer, and director Seth Rogen.
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Seth Rogen is known for collaborating with fellow pal Evan Goldberg and leading in films such as Superbad, This Is the End, Pineapple Express, and Neighbors. Some of his other voice roles are Mantis in the Kung Fu Panda films, Hogsqueal in The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Frank in Sausage Party. Rogen also executive produces Amazon’s The Boys and formerly AMC’s Preacher.
4Bowser - Jack Black
A recurring villain in the Mario seriesand the bane of the Mushroom Kingdom’s existence, Bowser faithfully serves as the primary antagonist in the movie. And his menacing spiky green-shelled fire-breathing character design with a soft side for music is voiced by none other than musician and comedic film powerhouse Jack Black.
Before starring in this video game adaptation, Black was also Professor Shelby in the new Jumanji reboots. You may also know him from Tenacious D, School of Rock, Goosebumps, Nacho Libre, and Po in Kung Fu Panda. He’s also been in video games, lending his voice to many ofthe games from developer Double Fine.
3Luigi - Charlie Day
Mario’s equally compelling brother and one of gaming’smost brilliant sidekicks, who’s had his fair share of encounters with Bowser’s forces, is once again suited up in his signature green attire for the big screen and needs Mario’s help. Taking a leave of absence from the Gang at Paddy’s Pub to provide the voice for Luigi is Charlie Day.
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Aside from being the eccentric illiterate cheese-lover in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Charlie Day has played memorable characters in several films like Horrible Bosses, Pacific Rim, Fist Fight with Ice Cube, and previously starred alongside Chris Pratt in The Lego Movie films as the quirky blue-suited spaceman Benny.
2Princess Peach - Anya Taylor-Joy
Princess Peach was sadly underutilized as the damsel in distress trope since her debut in Donkey Kong and then in the first Super Mario Bros. game, so it was awesome that you’d eventuallybe able to play as herin a slew of games. It seems like The Super Mario Bros. movie does even more justice in developing her character and giving her the on-screen presence she deserves.
The fierce princess of the Mushroom Kingdom has an incredibly talented actress behind her — Anya Taylor-Joy, who has proven remarkable in every project she’s been involved with. Her best film and TV roles include Last Night in Soho, Peaky Blinders, The Menu, The Queen’s Gambit, The Witch, and Split.
1Mario - Chris Pratt
Though the original voice actor of the iconic Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi Nintendo characters, Charles Martinet, didn’t reprise the titular role, he still had some key homages in cameo voices. Ever since Chris Pratt was revealed to be the voice of the beloved Mario in the movie version, it led many to grow skeptical, but he did a spectacular job anddid not disappoint.
Chris Pratt pretty much nails every role he’s been given, whether leading the Guardians of the Galaxy as Star-Lord in the MCU films, dinosaur trainer Owen Grady in the Jurassic World sequels, Emmet in The Lego Movie, and now the heroic plumber who saves the Mushroom Kingdom.
