Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel rumour has us worried about the film
Illumination is jumping for that Power Block and is hoping to once again storm the box office with a Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel. The Super Mario Bros. Movie defied expectations in 2023, becoming the highest-grossing video game movie of all time and breaking the one-billion mark in terms of takings.
Following the famous failure of the live-action Mario movie of 1993, it's fair to say we were worried about how The Super Mario Bros. Movie was going to fare. Thankfully, it was packed with Nintendo nostalgia and cleverly teased a much bigger world through Easter eggs. Now, the Nintendo Cinematic Universe could be coming together.
Mario movie sequel might not be a sequel at all
Click to enlargeAs we all pencilled April 2026 in the diaries for Mario squeezing into his overalls again, a new rumour suggests the big guy might not feature at all. According to Nintendo insider Zippo, the Mario Movie sequel shouldn't be considered a sequel. Instead, it could be a spin-off focusing on a different character.
Posting on their blog, Zippo reiterates the next movie is NOT a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, saying their sources have confirmed it's a spin-off. Zippo says that they've heard about the project potentially being a Luigi's Mansion or Donkey Kong spin-off - with both being in development at Illumination.
Saying that the mystery Mario-adjacent movie is about to start animation, it only has 22-23 months of production. This is much less time than the average animated outing, with Zippo claiming a lot of things from the first movie will be re-used.
Finally, Universal is reportedly interested in fast-tracking other Mario-related films and getting them into cinemas as soon as possible. Echoing our own fears, Zippo concludes that it's up to you to decide whether this is a good or a bad thing. Remember, not every cinematic universe can be as successful as the MCU.
The Nintendo Cinematic Universe is coming
Click to enlargeThe idea of a Mario Movie spin-off could be more interesting than a proper sequel, although it would be a shame to leave the character on the sidelines. Even we'll admit we had our opinions changed about Chris Pratt's portrayal of the portly plumber.
Much like how Universal Studios Japan is getting its own Donkey Kong land, a spin-off focussing on Seth Rogen's grouchy gorilla makes plenty of sense. Charlie Day has previously pitched a Luigi's Mansion standalone, and with the game series getting a revival in the form of Luigi's Mansion 2 HD, it would also be a popular choice.
The idea that we're focusing on someone else also fits with Shigeru Miyamoto saying, "This time, we’re thinking about broadening Mario’s world further." It suggests we're still a way off getting Brie Larson in a Metroid movie, although every day brings us closer to that reality.
Nintendo has some massive IPs under its name, and while Universal powers forward with its potential box office behemoth of a Mario universe, remember that Sony is working on a separate movie based on The Legend of Zelda movie. The video game curse is a thing of the past and Mario is back...just maybe not in his own sequel movie.
