John Leguizamo; Luigi inThe Super Mario Bros. Movie(2023).Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage, Universal Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection
John Leguizamohasn’t completely sworn off a return to the Mushroom Kingdom.
In a new interview withIndieWire, the actor was asked if he’d ever lend his voice to a potential sequel to or spinoff ofThe SuperMario Bros. Movie, which has beenbreaking box-office recordssince its release earlier this month.
“If they start to do the right thing and add more inclusivity, I’d consider it,” said thePowerstar.
Leguizamo, 62, recently made headlines when he responded “Hell no!” after being asked whether he’d see the new movie. (The actor previously played Luigi in the 1993 adaptationSuper Mario Bros.)
“Theycould’ve included a Latin character. I was groundbreaking, and then they stopped the groundbreaking,” he previously toldTMZ, in part.
“They messed up the inclusion. They dis-included,” Leguizamo continued. “Just cast some Latin folk. We’re 20 percent of the population — the largest people-of-color group, and we’re underrepresented. Over-represented in the worst kinda jobs, though.”
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John Leguizamo and Bob Hoskins inSuper Mario Bros.(1993).Hollywood Pictures/Kobal/Shutterstock
“I spoke my mind,” he said. “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. They didn’t meet the times. I know it’s a big hit, but that doesn’t make it okay.”
The newSuper Mario Bros. Movie’s voice cast featuresChris Prattas Mario,Charlie Dayas Luigi,Anya Taylor-Joyas Princess Peach,Jack Blackas Bowser,Seth Rogenas Donkey Kong andKeegan-Michael Keyas Toad, plusSebastian Maniscalco,Kevin Michael RichardsonandFred Armisenas Cranky Kong.
The film officially reached$500 million at the worldwide box officeearlier this month after only a week of release.
Not only does this make it the highest-grossing movie of the year so far — outdoing Marvel Studios’Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which opened in February — but ithas become the biggest video-game movie ever.
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The 1993 film starredBob Hoskinsand Leguizamo as the titular sibling plumbers Mario and Luigi, respectively, with a supporting cast that includedSamantha MathisandDennis Hopper.
Despite his criticism of the new film, theEmmy-winning actor included it in apost to his Instagram Storyrecently that celebrated “Smb history,” spotlighting his movie and the new one plusThe Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, which aired in the fall of 1989.
source: people.com
