The Real Reason Chris Pratt Switched up the ‘Mamma Mia’ Line in ‘Super Mario’

Chris Pratt is talking about why Mario’s classic catchphrase sounds different in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The actor says it wasn’t about changing a beloved line, but making it fit the version of Mario he’s portraying.

While speaking with ScreenRant, Pratt explained that the usual Italian-accented “Mamma Mia” didn’t quite match his Brooklyn-born plumber. “Why does it make sense for a guy who’s from Brooklyn who doesn’t have that accent to use that so much?” he asked.

He added that trying to copy the original game voice didn’t feel natural for the story they were telling. Pratt says he experimented with the line during recording sessions, trying to make it fit his character’s tone.

“It’s always really hard to find how ‘Mamma Mia’ works,” he admitted. The solution, he explained, was to treat it as a flexible piece of dialogue rather than a strict soundbite. After trying different versions, he settled on a slower, drawn-out delivery, “Maaammaaa Miaaaa,” which he thinks makes it feel more natural.

“It takes some of the stink off it,” he joked, noting that he never felt he could nail the original perfectly. The actor said the final version was a team effort. “I’ve always tried to vary,” Pratt said, describing how he worked with the directors to make sure the line fit the film’s tone.

Fans will hear the new Mario voice when The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hits theaters in the U.S. on April 1. The sequel brings back Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, and Jack Black as Bowser. Donald Glover joins as Yoshi, Brie Larson plays Rosalina, and Benny Safdie voices Bowser Jr.

Pratt has also been busy outside the Mushroom Kingdom. His sci-fi thriller Mercy, co-starring Rebecca Ferguson, struggled in theaters in January but became a streaming hit on Prime Video after its March 22 release.

Later this year, Pratt stars in the Apple TV+ film Way of the Warrior Kid, coming November 20. Directed by McG, Pratt plays a Navy SEAL helping his nephew overcome bullying, marking a return to the action roles fans remember from The Terminal List.

Between voicing Mario and tackling dramatic or action-heavy projects, Pratt has kept a busy schedule. The actor remains one of Hollywood’s most talked-about stars, known for taking on both comedic and serious roles while keeping fans guessing what he’ll do next.

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