Chris Pratt responds to fan backlash over him playing Mario

Chris Pratt says that he understands why Super Mario fans feel the animated feature is 'precious' to them.

The 43-year-old was first announced as the voice of the iconic Italian plumber back in September 2021, and it's fair to say that the news didn't go down well with the fans.

Many fans questioned the choice of Pratt for the role and whether he'd be able to do a good job, and the criticism grew even further when the official teaser trailer debuted Mario's new accent.

Some believed that Pratt wasn't using a 'different voice' and 'ultimately brings nothing but a name to his voice'.

While others even suggested actors, such as The Last Of Us star, Pedro Pascal, as an alternative to portray the Nintendo mascot instead, or even Mario's original voice actor, Charles Martinent.

But, the Guardians of the Galaxy star also has a lot of people in his corner, with directors Aaron Hovarth and Michael Jelenic dubbing him the 'perfect choice' for the role.

And Illumination Studio's co-producer, Chris Meledandri, also promised fans that Pratt's take on the character would be 'phenomenal'.

Even the actor himself has spoken in defence of his casting, saying that people should 'go watch the movie and then we can talk'.

But he does get why fans are so invested.

Alamy

Talking to Gizmodo, Pratt says that he understands why 'people don't want something like this to get screwed up'.

"I totally get it, man. There's a passionate fan base and I'm one of the fans. I get it. Mostly, people don't want something like this to get screwed up. They're precious about it. They're careful. And I'm grateful for that.

"I care just as much as everyone else to make sure that doesn't get screwed up.

"In many ways, the game had taken care of people, I think, in a way that they don't want the franchise messed up at all." he said.

Universal Studios

But it seems as though the universe holds a special place in his heart, as the Jurassic World star also shared his first encounter with the original Donkey Kong arcade machine as a child.

He added: "My very first memory is the arcade. And then shortly after, probably within six months to a year, the NES came out and we had one in our house and boy, yeah, the rest is history."

He and co-star Charlie Day, who voices Mario's brother, Luigi, were also asked whether the upcoming movie could serve as a launching pad for a possible film series.

To which Pratt replied: "I think it was understood that it could potentially be, but I actually haven't even thought that far ahead."

The duo also confirmed that no plans had been set in place, however, they would be open to the idea.

Let's keep our fingers crossed.