Ex-Luigi actor John Leguizamo would 'consider' role in Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel on one condition
John Leguizamo has said he would consider taking on a role in a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, despite slamming the recently released film.
Leguizamo did add though that his involvement would be on one condition, as he seeks change in the industry.
The actor, who has been a longtime advocate for Hollywood representation in the industry, starred in the 1993 Super Mario Bros. as Luigi alongside Bob Hoskins as Mario.
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However, the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie, voiced by Chris Pratt and Charlie Day as Mario and Luigi, has been criticised by Leguizamo for a lack of diversity.
In October, shortly after the first trailer for the reboot was released, Leguizamo took to Twitter to criticise the cast of the animated adaptation for being 'too white'.
"So glad #SuperMarioBros is getting a reboot! Obviously, it's iconic enuff. But too bad they went all white! No Latinx in the leads! Groundbreaking color-blind casting in original!" he tweeted.
"Plus I'm the only one who knows how to make this movie work script-wise!" he added, before posting three screenshots of himself and Hoskins from the 1993 original.
And just days before its release in cinemas earlier this month, Leguizamo stated that he would be boycotting the reboot despite previously being so heavily involved in the franchise.
Speaking to TMZ on the day of the film’s theatrical release, Leguizamo said: “No I will not [be watching]. They could’ve included a Latin character.
“Like I was was groundbreaking and then they stopped the groundbreaking.
"They messed up the inclusion. They dis-included.”
Now, the ex-Luigi actor has said that he would actually consider being involved in a hypothetical sequel for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, though the film's makers would certainly have to change their approach if Leguizamo was to jump on board.
In a recent interview with Indiewire, Leguizamo was asked if he would consider a role in a potential sequel.
He replied: "If they start to do the right thing and add more inclusivity, I’d consider it."
In the interview, the actor also addressed making headlines prior to the film's release for his criticism of the lack of Latin voice actors in the new animation.
"I spoke my mind. The directors of the last one fought really hard to have inclusivity, to have me in there and it’s sad that they went backwards instead of forwards," he said.
"They didn’t meet the times. I know it’s a big hit, but that doesn’t make it OK."
Topics: Film and TV
Callum Jones