Anya Taylor-Joy is a well-known actress, famous for her roles in movies and TV shows. She became very popular after starring in The Queen’s Gambit, a Netflix series where she played a chess prodigy.
Her unique looks and strong acting skills have helped her stand out in Hollywood, and she has received several awards and nominations for her performances.
In 2023, Anya voiced Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This movie is based on the popular video game series by Nintendo. Fans were excited to see how she would bring this beloved character to life.
Princess Peach is known as the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom and is usually seen as a kind and brave leader. With Anya Taylor-Joy’s voice, Peach became a more modern and independent character in the movie.
Casting Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach
The announcement that Anya Taylor-Joy would voice Princess Peach came in 2021. Fans of both the actress and the Mario franchise had mixed reactions.
Many were excited, especially because Anya had already shown her talent in different genres. Her strong presence in The Queen’s Gambit made people curious about how she would handle a fun, animated role like Princess Peach.
Others, who were more attached to the classic video game versions of Peach, were unsure about how Anya would portray the character.
Anya was chosen for the role because of her versatile acting abilities and her unique voice. The producers wanted someone who could bring more personality to Princess Peach, making her feel like a strong and independent character.
Anya’s mix of sweetness and confidence seemed like the perfect fit to update Peach’s image for a modern audience.
In previous portrayals, Princess Peach was usually seen as the damsel in distress, needing to be saved by Mario. Her voice was often high-pitched and more cartoonish in games.
With Anya’s version, Princess Peach became more of a leader and even participated in action scenes, showing a brave side that fans hadn’t seen as much in earlier versions.
This change was welcomed by many, as it gave Peach a more powerful and active role in the story.
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Do You Know:
Princess Peach and Princess Toadstool are the same character. In the early Mario games released in the West, such as Super Mario Bros., the character was known as Princess Toadstool. However, starting with Super Mario 64 and subsequent games, the name was changed to Princess Peach. Despite the name change, her character and role as the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom have remained consistent.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Voice Acting Approach
To prepare for the role of Princess Peach, Anya Taylor-Joy took her voice acting seriously. Even though it was her first time playing a character in an animated movie, she wanted to make sure she gave her best performance.
Anya said in interviews that she grew up playing Mario games, so she was already familiar with Princess Peach and the world of Mario. This personal connection made her excited to bring the character to life in a new way.
She also spent time working on finding the right tone for Peach’s voice, balancing between making her sound sweet but also strong and determined.
Anya mentioned in interviews that voicing such an iconic character was an exciting challenge. She knew that Princess Peach has been a beloved character for decades, so it was important for her to respect the character’s legacy while also adding her own touch.
She said she felt honored to be part of something as big as the Mario universe, especially since so many people grew up with these characters.
From interviews, it’s clear that Anya connected with Princess Peach because of her strength and kindness. She wanted to show that Peach isn’t just a damsel in distress but a capable leader who cares deeply about her kingdom and friends.
Anya focused on making Peach feel more real and relatable, which is why her version of the character comes across as confident and active in the movie.
Princess Peach’s Role in the Movie
In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Princess Peach is the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom. She is portrayed as a strong, intelligent, and brave leader who is determined to protect her kingdom from harm.
Unlike the video games where she is often seen as the one who needs to be rescued, the movie shows her as a key figure in the fight against Bowser, the main villain.
She takes on an active role in helping Mario and his friends, showing her ability to lead and make decisions during tough situations.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Princess Peach is different from previous versions in a significant way. In the past, Princess Peach was mostly known as a damsel in distress, a character that Mario had to save.
Her personality was sweet but passive. In the movie, Anya’s Peach is much more independent and powerful.
She is not just sitting in a castle waiting for help; she’s out there fighting alongside Mario, helping him navigate the challenges in their journey.
Anya’s voice also gives Peach a more mature and confident tone compared to the higher-pitched, more cartoonish voices in the games.
Throughout the film, Princess Peach evolves from just being a ruler to an active hero. She is not only a supportive character but also shows leadership, courage, and a sense of responsibility for her kingdom.
Her relationship with Mario also grows, as she guides him and helps him gain the confidence he needs to save the day.
This evolution makes Peach a more well-rounded character, and her role in the story becomes much more central and dynamic than in the traditional Mario games.
Audience Reception and Critical Reviews
Fans had a largely positive response to Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as Princess Peach. Many appreciated how she brought a fresh take on the character, making her more independent and modern.
Gamers and long-time fans of the Mario franchise liked seeing Peach portrayed as a strong leader rather than just a damsel in distress.
Some initially worried about how well Anya’s voice would fit Peach, but after seeing the film, most agreed that she gave the character new depth. The balance of sweetness and strength in her portrayal won over many fans.
Critical reviews of Anya’s performance were also favorable. Critics praised her for adding a layer of confidence to Princess Peach that had been missing in earlier portrayals.
Many reviewers noted that Anya’s voice acting helped make Peach stand out in the film, as she wasn’t just a side character but a key part of the plot.
Her voice acting was seen as natural and fitting for the character’s evolution in the movie. The film itself received mixed reviews, but Anya’s performance was often highlighted as one of the stronger points.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s role as Princess Peach contributed to the overall success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Her portrayal helped modernize the character, making Peach more appealing to both new viewers and long-time Mario fans.
This new version of Peach, along with the star-studded cast, helped attract a wider audience, including those who might not have been interested in the Mario franchise before.
As a result, her performance played a part in the movie’s box office success and its positive reception from a broad audience.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Career After Princess Peach
Anya Taylor-Joy’s role as Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie added another diverse character to her growing portfolio.
This role showed her versatility as an actress, as she transitioned from dramatic roles like The Queen’s Gambit to voice acting in a major animated film.
Her success as Princess Peach allowed her to connect with a younger audience and broaden her fanbase beyond the usual drama and thriller genres she was known for. This exposure further cemented her place as one of Hollywood’s rising stars.
Following her role in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Anya has several exciting projects lined up. One of her highly anticipated roles is in Furiosa, a prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, where she plays the title character, a role previously made famous by Charlize Theron.
This action-packed film will once again showcase her ability to take on strong and complex characters. Anya is also involved in other film and TV projects that tap into her dramatic skills, ensuring that her career continues to evolve across various genres.
Conclusion
Anya Taylor-Joy had a significant impact on the character of Princess Peach, transforming her from the traditional damsel in distress into a modern, strong, and independent leader.
Through her voice acting, she added depth and confidence to Peach, making the character more relatable and empowering for a new generation of fans.
Her portrayal also helped to reshape how people see Princess Peach, bringing more action and leadership to the role.
In final thoughts, Anya’s contribution to the Mario universe was pivotal in updating an iconic character for the big screen.
Her performance not only pleased longtime fans but also introduced Princess Peach to a broader audience in a fresh and inspiring way.
By adding personality and strength to Peach, Anya left a lasting impression on the Mario franchise, setting a new standard for how beloved video game characters can evolve in film adaptations.