Charlie Day, star of the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie, found himself unable to resist a question about his “favorite Luigi in modern American history” during a recent interview in Tokyo.Day was speaking alongside co-stars and Hollywood actors Anya Taylor-Joy and Keegan-Michael Key on the comedy show Tentoria when the hosts asked who Luigi considered the best. The question was clearly intended as a joke, referencing a controversial real-life figure, but Day contributed to it. “I’m at the top of the Luigi game, but Mangione is a close second,” Day said, prompting Taylor-Joy to try to hide her smile and Keegan-Michael Key to burst into laughter.
The joke refers to Luigi Mangione, who is currently facing state and federal charges over the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione remains in federal custody, and his murder trial is now scheduled to begin in New York state in September. While the Internet has long made jokes linking Luigi Mangione to the video game character due to their shared first name, Day’s comments mark one of the first times the comparison has been made in an interview tied to an official Nintendo project.
The moment came about ten minutes into the podcast, and the hosts praised Day for giving them “the answer to their dreams.” Despite the laughs, it’s a reminder that some audiences may not find the joke amusing given Mangione’s legal status.
Stay up to date with our live blog for minute-by-minute coverage of the Israel-Iran war including breaking news, missile attacks and the latest updates on the Middle East crisis.