At the recent Nintendo Direct, we got exciting news about The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Brie Larson will voice Rosalina, while Bowser Jr. will be voiced by Benny Safdie.
The direct kicked off with the film’s first full trailer. It starts with Bowser, now a painter after his defeat by Mario and Luigi. He’s been living in a model castle within Peach’s Castle, still fixated on Princess Peach.
The trailer teases a star shower over Peach’s castle. We see Peach and Toad soaring into the sky using star power, hinting at a mix of different Mario game locations. Among these is a water-covered planet and a Sand Kingdom-like area.
A new character, Bowser Jr., aims to rescue Bowser with his paintbrush from Super Mario Sunshine. Rosalina appears briefly at the end, showing off her magical abilities against a giant mech. However, many fans are disappointed that Yoshi didn’t show up at all.
Illumination is wrapping up the animation, and the movie releases in the U.S. on April 3, 2026, and on April 24 in Japan. The film promises some lesser-known Nintendo characters, with speculation about linking Peach and Rosalina’s backstories.
Returning from the first movie are Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek.
According to a 2023 survey on gaming adaptations, 70% of fans believe movies can do justice to their favorite games, but they worry about staying true to the source material. This film has the chance to meet those expectations, especially with its rich gaming history.
The excitement is palpable, with fans buzzing on social media about possible twists and characters. Whether this film will honor the spirit of the franchise remains to be seen, but it’s clear that anticipation is building.
For more insights into gaming adaptations, check out this study on their effectiveness.
