Final Trailer and Release Date
The wait is almost over! Fans of the iconic Super Mario franchise are gearing up for the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with the final trailer dropping on March 9, 2023. The trailer offers an exciting glimpse of Mario’s quest to save his brother, Luigi, from the clutches of the villainous Bowser. After a delay from its original December 2022 release, the movie is now set to hit theaters in the United States on April 7, 2023, and in Japan on April 28, 2023. Additionally, the movie will be available to stream on Peacock 45 days after its theatrical release, giving fans plenty of ways to enjoy the adventure.
Cast and Crew: Big Names Bring Iconic Characters to Life
The movie features a star-studded voice cast, with Hollywood heavyweights bringing the beloved Super Mario characters to life. Chris Pratt stars as Mario, while The Queen’s Gambit actress Anya Taylor-Joy voices Princess Peach. Charlie Day will voice Mario’s brother, Luigi, and Jack Black takes on the role of the menacing Bowser. Other notable cast members include Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, and Sebastian Maniscalco as Foreman Spike.
The film is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, known for their work on Teen Titans Go!, with Matthew Fogel serving as the screenwriter. Produced by Illumination and Nintendo, and distributed by Universal Pictures, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is poised to be a major hit.
The Movie’s Journey: From Concept to Screen
The idea for a new Super Mario film began in 2016, with official production starting in 2020. This marks the third feature film adaptation of the iconic video game series. The previous adaptations include the 1986 anime Super Mario Bros: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! and the 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo.
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, one of the film’s producers, explained that the film’s creation stemmed from a desire to expand the reach of Nintendo’s content. “With films, the amount of people who would contact our IP would widen, and increase the amount of people engaging with our IP,” Miyamoto shared, highlighting the broader audience the movie is aimed at attracting.
What We Can Expect: A Classic Mario Adventure
While the full plot of the movie remains under wraps, the trailer provides enough clues to suggest a classic Super Mario adventure. The story likely revolves around Mario’s mission to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches, with Luigi and the colorful Mushroom Kingdom characters coming to his aid. The dynamic between Mario and Princess Peach will likely be central to the plot, adding emotional depth to the usual action-packed rescue mission.
A Star-Studded Ensemble for a Legendary Film
One of the most discussed aspects of The Super Mario Bros. Movie has been its voice cast, particularly the casting of Chris Pratt as Mario. Pratt, known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, has generated a mix of excitement and controversy, especially after producer Chris Meledandri confirmed that Pratt would not be using a thick Italian accent for the role. This announcement sparked widespread discussions among fans.
Other big names in the cast include Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, and Jack Black as Bowser. Additionally, Keegan-Michael Key will voice Toad, Seth Rogen plays Donkey Kong, and Fred Armisen voices Cranky Kong. Charles Martinet, the iconic voice of Mario in the video games, will also make an appearance in the film, adding to its deep connection with the Super Mario franchise.
Behind the Scenes: The Movie’s Development
The movie has undergone years of development, with production officially beginning in 2020. The team behind Teen Titans Go! has kept details of the film relatively secret, building anticipation for what’s to come. In a 2022 interview, Charlie Day, who voices Luigi, shared insights about the secretive nature of the production, saying that actors were given specific lines and tasked with saying “Mario” in various ways to determine the perfect take. “It’s like the Marvel Universe,” Day said, describing the film’s high level of secrecy.
The Future of Mario on Screen
With The Super Mario Bros. Movie set to release in theaters on April 7, 2023, fans are eager to see how the film brings Mario’s world to life. The movie promises to be a visually stunning, action-packed adventure, and with such a talented cast behind it, the film is poised for massive success. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the video games or new to the Mushroom Kingdom, this movie offers an exciting ride.
Beyond this movie, the future of Mario on screen looks bright, with Nintendo’s continued push to expand its iconic characters and stories. For now, though, all eyes are on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, set to deliver an unforgettable adventure to audiences around the world.
