Luis Guzmán shares behind-the-scenes insights on The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now in theaters, sending Mario and Luigi on a massive new cosmic adventure packed with familiar favorites, major surprises, and some exciting new faces. The animated sequel features a stacked voice cast that includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Issa Rae, Brie Larson, and Luis Guzmán, who joins the expanding Nintendo movie universe as Wart, one of the franchise’s most unexpected deep-cut villains.
For longtime Nintendo fans, Wart’s arrival is a big deal. The character first made his mark in Super Mario Bros. 2 and has remained a memorable oddball in Mario lore ever since. Now, Guzmán brings that classic villain back into the spotlight with a voice performance that feels both playful and menacing, giving the sequel another standout addition as the franchise grows in bigger and bolder ways.
During my conversation with Guzmán, the acclaimed actor opened up about joining one of the most beloved franchises in entertainment, finding the voice of Wart, and why the role meant so much to him. He also teased what fans can expect from Wednesday Season 3, hinting that the hit Netflix series is heading to “another realm, another level.”
Bringing Wart Back Into the Spotlight
Wart has always been a deep-cut favorite for longtime Nintendo fans, and Guzmán understood the importance of bringing the character back in a meaningful way. He shared that the opportunity initially felt unexpected but exciting. “It’s something like we didn’t think of that could be a possibility,” he said, noting how rewarding it feels to help bring Wart back into public awareness and reintroduce the character to audiences who may not be familiar with his legacy.
That sense of rediscovery is part of what makes the casting so effective. Guzmán is not simply voicing a villain. He is helping reestablish a memorable presence within the Mario universe while adding personality and nuance. He emphasized how meaningful it was to lend his voice to such a recognizable property, explaining that it is always special to be part of something that has impacted generations of fans.
Wart’s return also reflects the growing ambition behind Nintendo’s cinematic storytelling strategy as the franchise continues expanding into new worlds and deeper character exploration.
Nintendo Nostalgia and Gaming Memories
Like many fans, Guzmán’s connection to gaming stretches back decades. When asked about early video game experiences, he immediately remembered the intensity of playing Tetris. “Tetris, bro,” he said. “Let me tell you something. That game used to give me high anxiety.” He laughed as he described how quickly the gameplay could take over your thoughts. “You start off, and it’s like, oh my God,” he said. “Then you go to bed at night, and that’s all you’re seeing replaying in your brain.”
Those early experiences left a lasting impression, and Guzmán noted that classic gaming sounds remain deeply embedded in memory. He said hearing familiar sound design elements within the Mario universe instantly brings audiences back to earlier gaming experiences, reinforcing the emotional connection fans have with these characters.
That nostalgia continues to play an important role in why Mario remains one of the most recognizable franchises in entertainment history, connecting longtime players with new generations discovering the characters for the first time.
Finding the Voice of a Villain
Guzmán’s voice has always been one of his strongest creative tools, and he spoke about how he approaches voice acting differently than live-action performance. He explained that the process begins with understanding how the character fits within the story. “When you go in to do this, you see a picture. This is the character,” he said, explaining that he learns how the character contributes to the larger world before refining the vocal performance.
He described how the first lines of dialogue serve as a testing ground for tone and rhythm. “I’ll do the first 10 lines,” he said, “but all I’m really trying to do at that point is really tune the voice, because your voice is what becomes the instrument.” Once he identifies the right sound, he continues refining the performance. “Once you got that, then you just kind of hone in on it and you record the rest,” he said.
Guzmán credited collaboration with directors as an important part of the process, noting that strong creative guidance allows him to explore different interpretations of the character. “You get great direction from your director,” he said, adding that he enjoys the flexibility to experiment with line delivery in order to enhance the character’s personality.
The result is a Wart that feels both familiar and fresh, blending nostalgia with cinematic storytelling in a way that expands the Mario universe.
Expanding the Mario Cinematic Universe
One of the most exciting aspects of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is how it broadens the storytelling possibilities within the Nintendo universe. Guzmán expressed a strong interest in continuing to explore the character in future installments. “I would love to continue doing this stuff,” he said. “It’s fun.”
He also noted how animation offers a different kind of creative satisfaction compared to live-action projects. “It’s a whole different form of creativity in my mind,” he said, adding that the format introduces performers to an expanded fan base that spans multiple generations.
Guzmán was especially enthusiastic about the visual scale of the finished film. “Just seeing the end product and just seeing the animation and the colors and how well it’s put together,” he said, “it’s so much fun.” He also emphasized that the film offers more than spectacle, noting that “it is a legitimate story,” something that helps ground the film emotionally.
When imagining potential matchups for Wart in future stories, Guzmán shared that he would enjoy seeing the character face other iconic Nintendo figures. “I really do like Fox McCloud,” he said, explaining that such a crossover could create exciting possibilities. He also expressed interest in exploring Wart’s dynamic with Bowser, saying he believes there is more to explore in that relationship.
These possibilities highlight just how expansive the Mario cinematic universe could become as additional characters are introduced and storylines continue evolving.
Wednesday Season 3 Goes to Another Level
Before wrapping up, Guzmán offered a brief but exciting tease for Season 3 of Netflix’s hit series Wednesday. When asked how he would describe the upcoming season, he responded with enthusiasm. “Magical,” he said, before emphasizing that major surprises are ahead. “Holy moly. We have some great new additions that I can’t tell you.”
He made it clear that the creative team remains committed to raising the bar with each new installment. “The writing is amazing,” he said, explaining that each season continues to build on the last. “The first season is like, wow,” he said. “Second season, I tell the writers, how you gonna top that? They topped it.”
According to Guzmán, the next chapter pushes the story even further. “I am a firm believer that we’re taking it to another realm, another level,” he said, crediting the cast, writers, and production team for driving the show’s continued evolution. He also acknowledged the passionate fan base that has helped the series become a global phenomenon.
A Voice That Continues to Resonate
Luis Guzmán has built a career filled with memorable performances that resonate across generations. His portrayal of Wart introduces a classic Nintendo villain to a new era of storytelling while reinforcing his reputation as a performer capable of bringing personality and depth to any role.
He described the opportunity to join the Mario franchise as both exciting and meaningful, emphasizing how rewarding it has been to see audiences respond to the character. “It’s a privilege for me to be part of this,” he said.
As The Super Mario Galaxy Movie continues expanding Nintendo’s cinematic reach and Wednesday prepares for its next chapter, Guzmán remains part of two major pop culture worlds that continue to capture audience attention.
Film Details
Directors: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic
Writer: Matthew Fogel
Producers: Chris Meledandri and Shigeru Miyamoto
Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Issa Rae, Luis Guzmán, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Brie Larson
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
