Seth Rogen, who plays Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, admits that the character's voice is simply his own. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the plumber's first foray into films since 1993's disastrous Super Mario Bros. The new movie takes the family-friendly animated route, with Mario and Luigi out to stop Bowser's evil plan alongside a roster of well-known characters from the video games. The Super Mario Bros. Movie's cast is stellar, with Christ Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Charlie Day, and Rogen.

While speaking with ComicBook.com, Rogen admitted that his portrayal of Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie doesn't stray far from his own voice. However, the actor clarified that when he took the part, he explicitly stated his voice acting has minimal variation. Check out Rogen's comments on his Donkey Kong voice in The Super Mario Bros. Movie below:

I was very clear, I don't do voices. And if you want me to be in this movie, it's gonna sound like me and that's it. And that was the beginning and end of that conversation. I was like, 'If you want Donkey Kong to sound a lot like me, I'm your guy.' But it did seem to work, you know, I think in the film and in the game I think all you really know about Donkey Kong is that he throws barrels and he does not like Mario very much. That's honestly kind of what I ran with was this idea that he hates Mario, that they are kind have like an adversarial relationship, that he's annoyed by him, that he doesn't want to be stuck with him, that he wishes he was on this adventure without him. To me that was, that was funny, and that was kind of the root of the character, and it was kind of born of the mythology of the games.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie Voice Controversy Explained

The Super Mario Bros. Movie came under initial scrutiny for its casting of Pratt in the role of Mario. It was argued that it was stunt casting, with the actor's name being utilized for publicity rather than being a good fit for the role. Another concern surrounded Mario's Italian accent, with worries that Pratt trying to mimic it would come off as offensive. However, Pratt didn't use an accent, which caused further criticism.

When the first trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie debuted, Pratt found himself surrounded by a new controversy, with critics pointing out that he hadn't changed his voice at all. Ironically, what Rogen so openly admits of his own voice work to little criticism, Pratt has been forced to defend from the moment his name was announced. Pratt has commented on The Super Mario Bros. Movie voice controversy, asking people to see the film before judging in hopes that the performance speaks for itself.

It's been argued that Mario's original voice actor, Charles Martinet, should have reprised his role for the movie, with other voice actors like Tara Strong speaking out on his behalf. And while Martinet won't be voicing Mario in the film, he has lent his voice to the production for cameo appearances. Still, even with the voice controversy surrounding The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it's tracking to open strong at the box office, showcasing plenty of interest.

Source: ComicBook.com