Nintendo Renames Mario's Former Boss in Upcoming Movie to Avoid Offense.
Nintendo has changed the Japanese name of the character Foreman Spike to "Spike" in the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie, presumably to avoid offense. In the Japanese game, he was known as "Blackie," which could be considered offensive in English. Spike's appearances outside of Wrecking Crew are usually cameos and references where his name goes unmentioned. The decision may be somewhat strange, as Spike's Japanese name would only be offensive to those who speak English and wouldn't even apply to Spike as a slur.