Ever since the disastrous 1993 Mario Bros. movie, Nintendo’s most iconic video game franchise has been off-limits for adaptations. And for good reason; the first attempt is still seen as a punchline and nothing more. But the recent success of other video game movies, such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Nintendo’s own Detective Pikachu, has given them the confidence to try again with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. And this time they’re doing it right.
With Chris Pratt voicing the iconic plumber and animation by the folks at Illumination, best known for Despicable Me, Minions, and more, Super Mario Bros looks like the kind of film that the franchise’s millions of fans have been waiting for. Koopas, Bowser, Toadstools, all the works.
Joining Pratt in the voice cast are Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, with Charlie Day as Mario’s clumsy brother Luigi. The villainous Bowser is voiced by Jack Black, with Keegan-Michael Key as Toad and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, who may get a spinoff film if this one’s a hit.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie opens in theaters on April 7th 2023.
