Aaron Horvath, the co-director of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, explains why Luigi is inheriting the role of damsel-in-distress from Princess Peach.
In an interview with Total Film magazine, Horvath talked about the changes being made for the upcoming animated movie by Illumination Entertainment. "[Luigi] takes the Princess Peach role in our story," Horvath explains. "It’s Mario’s goal to save his brother from Bowser’s clutches. He has to go on this epic adventure to do that. So Luigi, who’s a famously nervous, anxious character, finds himself in the worst possible predicament: having to survive interrogations with Bowser, and make it through that gauntlet."
According to Horvath, the idea of Mario rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser was "too straightforward" for the movie. Although this familiar storyline has played out through many Super Mario video games – Super Mario Odyssey, in particular – Horvath was inspired by another Mario game, one which is his own favorite: Super Mario 3D World. Princess Peach isn’t a damsel in distress that needs rescuing from the evil Bowser in Super Mario 3D World, but a playable character just like the Italian plumber himself.
Princess Peach as a Fearless Leader
"She’s the monarch who leads this kingdom of hapless, adorable Toads," Horvath said. “We were thinking how strong that person would need to be to protect those people. All that informed the idea for Peach’s character in our movie." Princess Peach’s new active role is reflected in the marketing of the movie, such as her racing down Rainbow Road in a poster invoking the nostalgia of Mario Kart. Similarly, the scaredy-cat nature of Luigi is reflected throughout the marketing of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. One trailer even pays homage to Luigi's Mansion, a kid-friendly alternative to Resident Evil where Luigi must overcome his fear of ghosts with a Ghostbusters-like vacuum cleaner used to suck 'em up.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the first animated Hollywood movie from Nintendo and Universal Pictures. Illumination, the animated studio behind Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets, is producing the movie. In addition to Horvath, Michael Jelenic (Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Teen Titans Go!) serves as co-director.
The film features several A-list celebrities in the roles of famous Nintendo characters, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi and Jack Black as Bowser. Many Nintendo fans have taken issue with Pratt replacing longtime Mario voice actor Charles Martinet, but Horvath believes Pratt will win them over when the movie opens on April 7.
Source: Total Film