OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
Original “Luigi” actor John Leguizamo isn’t happy with the reboot of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” due to a lack of diversity in its casting.
Leguizamo says he’ll boycott the film.
“Hell no!” Leguizamo responded when asked if he will watch the movie.
Ex-Luigi actor John Leguizamo says "Hell No" to Super Mario Bros. Movie, claims it lacks "inclusion" https://t.co/T4iwlA8cFq pic.twitter.com/Q6q6VdjBBY
— Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) April 6, 2023
“No I will not [be watching],” Leguizamo told TMZ. “They could’ve included a Latin character. Like, I was groundbreaking and then they stopped the groundbreaking.”
Film critic Christian Toto shut down Leguizamo’s criticism because the main two characters are Italian, not Hispanic. Moreover, the original film featured a British actor as Mario and the film was “a dud by most measures.”
Leguizamo argued, “They messed up the inclusion. They dis-included. Just cast some Latin folk! We’re 20 percent of the population. The largest people of color group and we are underrepresented.”
John Leguizamo boycotts Super Mario Bros. Movie for not including a Latin character https://t.co/piJ88HP9GV pic.twitter.com/2oTG9A38iG
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 6, 2023
Toto says Hollywood has taken great strides as an industry to include actors from many different backgrounds.
The new “Mario Bros” film stars Chris Pratt and Charlie Day as the leading voice roles of Mario and Luigi.
In 1993, Leguizamo originally played Luigi alongside Bob Hoskins, who portrayed Mario.
John Leguizamo is an insufferable hypocrite!
Whining about lack of forced 'inclusion' in Super Mario Bros movie.This is same Latino who played an ITALIAN plumber Luigi, back in the awful 90s film.
I think hes just butthurt that the new #SuperMarioBrosMovie is better than his! pic.twitter.com/oU1AbftpOR
— Juno Maxwell (@Goddess_Maxwell) April 7, 2023
“This isn’t part of that otherwise noble fight,” Toto added. “Plus, the actor’s criticisms are being drowned out by the sound of box office registers clanging. The new film looks to be a blockbuster according to early results.”
More from Fox News:
Leguizamo was vocal in October about the lack of diversity in the franchise’s latest movie, expressing his support for a reboot, but not the casting.
“So glad #SuperMarioBros is getting a reboot! Obviously, it’s iconic enuff,” he wrote on Twitter. “But too bad they went all white! No Latinx in the leads! Groundbreaking color-blind casting in original! Plus I’m the only one who knows how to make this movie work script-wise!”
He attached three screenshots of himself as Luigi and Hoskins, as Mario, with the caption: “Apologize to this movie right now!”
In November, Leguizamo told IndieWire it was “backwards” to have two white actors voice Mario and Luigi.
“I’m O.G. A lot of people love the original,” Leguizamo said when asked for his thoughts on the reboot. “I did Comic-Con in New York and in Baltimore, and everyone’s like, ‘No, no, we love the old one, the original.’ They’re not feeling the new one.’ I’m not bitter. It’s unfortunate.”