Regardless of how much you enjoyed the Super Mario Bros. Movie, odds are if you’re a big fan of the iconic plumber, the voice of Charles Martinet instantly reminds you of your childhood.
Having provided video game Mario’s dulcet tones since the early 90s, the actor has become a gaming staple for many, hence the widespread concern when some of the characters he’s become known for didn’t sound to some fans like they were voiced by Martinet in June’s Nintendo Direct.
Now, following Nintendo’s official announcement that Martinet will be stepping back from voicing Mario going forwards and becoming an ambassador for the iconic character instead, the actor has said that he isn’t sure what this fresh role will involve as of yet.
How do you feel about Chrales Martinet no longer voicing Mario?
As spotted by Nintendo Everything, Martinet spoke about the change in his citation during a recent Q&A Panel at Galaxycon Austin 2023, revealing that he’s not quite sure what it means yet.
“I am now, you might have seen the news, a Mario Ambassador,” Martinet told fans at the convention, continuing: “I don’t know what that is yet.”
He added: “I’m not retired as it were, as I don’t know how, but I’m an ambassador and as we step forward into the future, I will learn, we’ll all learn, what exactly that is, but in the meantime, you know, I’ll be ambassading as I always am.”
Martinet finished discussing the role by saying: “I’m always an ambassador of Nintendo and Mario at all of these events because I just cherish every moment of it and I hope that your love of the game continues and grows the way mine does.”
After adding a trademark “thank-a you so much,” the actor asked the fans in attendance not to inquire about the change any more, re-emphasising: “I don’t know anything about it.”
In its statement last month about Martinet’s change in role, Nintendo said of the actor: “With this transition, he will be stepping back from recording character voices for our games, but he’ll continue to travel the world sharing the joy of Mario and interacting with you all!”
It also added: “It has been an honour working with Charles to help bring Mario to life for so many years and we want to thank and celebrate him.”
Regardless of what you think of Mario getting a new voice going forwards, make sure to follow us for updates on Nintendo games, such as Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
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