Not everybody was happy when Chris Pratt was unveiled as the new Mario (Picture: Getty))

Chris Pratt has admitted that he ‘totally gets’ why fans of Super Mario Bros have criticised the decision to cast him in the lead role.

The Guardians of the Galaxy actor, 43, was announced as the voice of the world’s most famous cartoon plumber in September 2021.

Reaction to the news from fans and critics was mixed, especially when the trailer revealed that Chris wouldn’t be using an Italian accent.

Instead, he will be playing a version of Mario who is a struggling plumber from Brooklyn who is transported to the Mushroom Kingdom to save his brother, Luigi.

The film, entitled The Super Mario Bros. Movie, will be released worldwide on April 5, with Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, and Jack Black also among the cast.

Speaking about the reaction to his role, Chris said: Oh, I totally get it, man. There’s a passionate fan base and I’m one of the fans. I get it.’

He continued to Gizmodo’s io9: ‘Mostly, people don’t want something like this to get screwed up. They’re precious about it. They’re careful. And I’m grateful for that.’

However, the Parks and Recreation star said he was excited to see the final version of his latest Mario incarnation – something that Chris argues is new and fresh.

‘[Mario’s character] is largely undefined, but I think because it’s largely undefined, it kind of reduces the amount of trepidation that I personally felt coming in.’

Chris was confirmed as the star of the movie in September 2021 (Picture: Getty)

He added: ‘There’s not that much familiarity beyond just what their costumes look like and a handful of catchphrases that you might hear.’

Speaking as a fan of the Mario games, Chris revealed that he spent many, many hours playing the classic and beloved Nintendo series.

‘I played this game for hundreds of hours. The sound of hitting a coin, catching a flower, hearing the score, every little detail of the movie – I was hypnotised by it as a child.’

More: Trending

He continued: ‘So to see it now, I mean, just nothing really compares to it in terms of my relationship to the brand. So it’s pretty, pretty cool. Pretty incredible.’

Earlier this year, Chris sent good wishes to his Marvel co-star Jeremy Renner as he recovered in hospital following a life-threatening accident.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie releases on April 5.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Is Donkey Kong’s voice worse than Chris Pratt in the Mario movie? Fans can’t decide

MORE : Mario movie will include infamously bad DK Rap confirms Seth Rogen

Viewers have expressed doubts about Chris’s voice acting.