Chris Pratt has revealed why he altered one of Mario’s most famous catchphrases for the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Speaking to ScreenRant, the actor explained that the original “Mamma Mia” delivery, which leans heavily on an Italian accent, didn’t fit his vision of Mario as a Brooklyn-born character.
“Why does it make sense for a guy who’s from Brooklyn who doesn’t have that accent to use that so much?” Pratt said, highlighting his focus on staying true to the character’s background.
While the script still includes the phrase, Pratt admitted that incorporating it naturally was challenging. To make it feel authentic, he experimented with variations in tone and pacing, sometimes stretching it out as “Maaammaaa Miaaaa” to match the Brooklyn-inspired cadence he envisioned.
The adjustments mark a creative effort to balance Mario’s iconic charm with a more grounded, character-driven performance. Pratt noted, “I’ve always tried to vary… I think that’s maybe why they slowed it down to take some of the stink off it because I’m not sure I ever fully got it right.”
Super Mario Galaxy Movie is the sequel to the 2023 animated hit that grossed over $1.36 billion worldwide.
Pratt reprises his role alongside returning stars Charlie Day, Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Keegan-Michael Key, while newcomers Brie Larson, Donald Glover, and Issa Rae join the cast for the latest adventure.