The voice of Mario, Charles Martinet, steps away after 24 years
The voice of Mario is leaving the role after 24 years, with Nintendo announcing that Charles Martinet will now serve as the 'Mario Ambassador.' The decision comes as a surprise, with the reason behind Martinet's departure and the decision-maker at Nintendo remaining unknown. However, with Nintendo's desire to maintain a connection with Martinet, it seems likely that the iconic voice actor will still be involved with the company.
In a statement provided to GamesRadar+, Nintendo reveals that Martinet will no longer record character voices but will instead travel the world to promote Mario and engage with fans. A video message from Shigeru Miyamoto and Martinet will be released to celebrate his contributions.
"After 24 years, I have decided to step away from the role of the voice of Mario," Martinet says. "I will continue to contribute to the Mario games, but in a different capacity. I am very proud of my work on the Mario games over the years, and I cannot thank you enough for your love and kindness. Here's to an awesome new chapter!"
Martinet shares a positive message about his new adventure, expressing gratitude to his fans. However, the specifics of the Mario Ambassador role remain unclear.
Martinet's iconic voice has been a significant part of many childhoods, making him synonymous with Mario. It seems likely that future actors will continue Martinet's portrayal of the character rather than introducing a new interpretation.
Fans were shocked earlier this year when it was revealed that Martinet was not recording Mario voiceover for Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Some fans speculated that Martinet was replaced due to perceived differences in Mario's voice between the two games, though this theory remains unconfirmed.
Similarly, Martinet's absence from the Mario Movie, where Chris Pratt voiced the character, caused backlash among fans. Fellow actor Tara Strong shared her support for Martinet, stating that he should have been chosen for the role. Martinet thanked his fans for their love and kindness during that time, indicating his disappointment in not playing Mario in the movie.
Martinet's departure from the Mario role has garnered significant attention, with the news currently trending on social media. It's unclear whether or not Nintendo plans to recast the role, which would undoubtedly give the opportunity to a new voice actor to take on the iconic role.
Check out the original Mario Bros. trailer from 30 years ago.
