Anya Taylor-Joy didn't feel pressure taking on Super Mario role
Casting a big-screen adaptation of a beloved franchise is always a tricky business, but it likely says a lot about the esteem that Anya Taylor-Joy is held in that her taking on the role of Princess Peach was welcomed.
The same can't be said of the likes of Chris Pratt as Mario and, to a lesser extent, Charlie Day as Luigi. However, even the fact that the movie switches up Princess Peach's role from damsel-in-distress to leader of the Mushroom Kingdom hasn't angered fans.
Ahead of the release of The Super Mario Bros Movie this week, Digital Spy sat down with Anya Taylor-Joy to talk about whether she felt any pressure over the iconic role, the inspiration she took from the games and Princess Peach's future.
You've done voice work before for Age of Resistance and Playmobil, but is it more stressful when it's a character who's loved by a lot of fans?
You know, I have the same approach to every film I ever make, which is: I don't stress out until it's too late to do anything about it. And then I'm like, "OK, well, that happened. So hopefully people don't hate me." [laughs]
So I didn't really feel the pressure beforehand, or whilst doing it. Now I just really hope that fans enjoy it, because this is a film made by fans for fans. So as long as the fan experience is great, that's all I can ask for.
In animation, it's rare you get to work with other cast members, so was that the case here, especially as it was in production during the pandemic?
I was on my own, but I'm really hoping that if we ever get the chance to do this again, we can all get together.
It's such an incredible array of talent, and I'm such a big fan of so many of the members of this film, that it would just be wonderful to see them work on that.
Is it trickier to build up that kind of rapport between the characters when you're not playing off someone that's physically there?
I think so. But that's really on the filmmakers. I think it's a testament to them how they've made this film work, because, you're right, it was COVID, and we couldn't all be together and discuss it all.
So I just think the filmmakers did a really, really good job, and now I'm just looking forward to meeting everybody at the premiere. I think it's just going to be like: "Hi! We made a film together. Pleasure to meet you."
Princess Peach has been voiced by various people in the video games, so did you take anything in particular from the previous versions?
I think when I was first thinking about the voice, I wanted there to be a few callbacks so that people could feel something familiar. But I also realised with the script that she was written in a different way.
So I kind of just had to try and build her voice from the story we were telling, and to make her a 3D character in that way and I hope that it's worked.
Among the many references to the games, you've got Rainbow Road in the movie, which has been the bane of many Mario Kart fans over the years. Did it bring back some bad flashbacks for you?
I mean, listen: I'm not very good but I'm determined, and I will keep working at it until it is better. But that's probably one of my favourite sequences in the film. I just think it's so beautiful. I think all the characters really get a chance to shine.
Were you always Princess Peach in Mario Kart and other games?
I have to be, otherwise I feel like I'm cheating. I've played Daisy a couple of times, but don't tell her – don't tell Peach [laughs].
We won't. Princess Peach has had spin-offs where she's been the lead. Is that somewhere where you'd hope you could lead that character?
I mean, I'll follow her anywhere. I love this group of collaborators. I love this world. It's honestly been such a joy that whatever they've got cooking, I'd love to be a part of it.
What is it in particular you're excited for Mario fans to see?
I think the amount of Easter eggs that there are in there. The healthy dose of nostalgia. But it's still inviting to people that don't know much about the game.
And it's just beautiful. When I left, I couldn't stop talking about the animation – because I really, really love animation. And it's the most beautiful animated film I've seen. It's just stunning what the artists did.
Finally, last year was huge for you with a variety of roles in The Menu, Amsterdam and The Northman. Across your career, what is it that draws you to a role?
There seems to be a big element of fate for me with roles. I really believe that if a character is yours, it's yours. And if it's not, you have a moral obligation to let it go to the person that it's supposed to go to.
So it always seems to coincide with something that's going on with my life, or it teaches me something. And usually I can only see it in hindsight.
But I just feel so lucky to have been able to live all of these different lives with these different people, and get to learn with them. Moviemaking is my favourite thing to do, and the fact that I get to do it is such a dream.
The Super Mario Bros Movie is released in cinemas on April 5.
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