Recently, it was announced that actor Chris Pratt would be playing the iconic video game character Mario in an upcoming animated movie. The announcement has generated a lot of buzz and discussion among fans, with some excited about Pratt's casting and others expressing scepticism.
Pratt is no stranger to big-budget movies and beloved franchises. He has starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and appeared in the Jurassic World franchise. However, this will be the first time he has lent his voice to an animated character.
Mario is one of the most recognizable characters in video game history. Created by Nintendo in the 1980s, Mario has appeared in countless video games, TV shows, and movies. He is known for his bright red outfit, moustache, and Italian accent. While Pratt is not Italian, he has shown his ability to take on different accents in past roles, which may have been a factor in his casting.
While some fans were excited about Pratt's casting, others expressed concern. Many pointed out that Mario's Italian heritage is an important part of the character, and that a non-Italian actor should not have been chosen for the role. Others expressed disappointment that an Italian actor was not chosen to play the part.
Despite the controversy, it remains to be seen how Pratt will do in the role. Voice acting is a unique skill that requires a lot of talent and effort. Some actors excel at it while others struggle. However, Pratt has shown his ability to be funny and charming in past roles, which could make him a good fit for the upbeat and jovial Mario. Whatever your opinion on the casting, it seem the majority of fans all share a similar excitement for the upcoming movie in general. It's safe to say that Mario is hopping, jumping, and punching his way into the popular canon again. (Not that he ever necessarily left.) So that begs the question: are we finally getting a Mario Funko Figure?
Uh... not necessarily. This figure here is a custom, and Funko currently does not manufacture the real deal. (Yet.) The new movie is being produced by Illumination Entertainment, the same studio behind the Despicable Me and Minions movies. Whilst it's no secret that Funko have had a strenuous time acquiring the license for other Nintendo projects in their figures, we've certainly seen a lot of Illumination figures in the past. The studio has a strong track record with animated films, and fans are excited to see what they will do with the Mario franchise. The film being produced by Illumination might not be enough, though, as the characters from the Mario franchise still remain firmly within the possession of the Nintendo license.
Whilst Funko definitively does not have the Nintendo license, they do have a line of Pokémon figures that are popular among collectors and fans of the franchise. These figures feature the cute and colourful designs of popular Pokémon characters, such as Pikachu, Charmander, and Bulbasaur, in Funko's distinct style. The figures come in a variety of sizes, from small keychain figures to larger 10-inch figures, and are often sold in blind box sets, adding an element of surprise and excitement to collecting. So does this mean we might be getting a Mario Pop! Vinyl?
Our verdict: only time will tell. The movie is set to release next week, so hopefully we'll hear some news soon on whether or not Funko will be bringing us these highly anticipated Pops. Regardless of how fans feel about the casting choice, it's clear that the upcoming Mario movie is sure to be one of the most talked-about films in the coming years, and we hope we have the collectables to reflect it.