Get ready to book a ticket for Mushroom Kingdom because the first teaser trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie is here, and it looks utterly fantastic. From the vibrant and clean animation to the exciting cast, there is plenty to be excited about – just ask all the excited fans sharing their instant reactions online. There’s a natural concern when it comes to video game movies as they are incredibly hit-or-miss, but The Super Mario Bros. Movie seems like it might get a bullseye.
The film hits theaters on April 7th, 2023, and unites a stellar voice cast, including Chris Pratt, Jack Black, and Anya Taylor Joy – although the reaction to Pratt’s voice work is leaving some underwhelmed. Super Mario is one of the most prolific and beloved video game franchises, and many iconic characters are coming to the silver screen in this film. Beyond the various Koopas, Toads, Dry Bones, Penguins, and more, fans should expect several characters to appear in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Mario
Of course, the film wouldn’t exist without the main star, Mario, voiced by Chris Pratt. The plumber-turned-hero is on a great new adventure, seemingly happening in the Mushroom Kingdom after falling through a pipe. Many were concerned that his design might end up weird like Sonic’s in the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog, but since it’s all animated, it’s under less scrutiny. Plus, he just looks great.
However, the big stink surrounding the film and the trailer is Mario’s voice. It’s a tricky situation in truth because he doesn’t really speak in the games except for a “wahoo!” or “here we go!” every so often, and when he did, it's with a highly stylized Italian accent. It might be for the best that Pratt is staying more in line with his natural speaking voice, especially if this spawns future sequels and spin-offs.
Bowser
While Mario is the protagonist, his nemesis was the star of the first trailer. Bowser, the king of the Koopas, is being voiced by the great Jack Black, and the common consensus on Twitter is that this is perfect casting. Not only does he sound strong and menacing, but his design by Illumination is also impeccable and captivating.
With Jack Black voicing him, Bowser could shine as a comedic villain in line with these hilarious memes. The trailer proved already that he’s not someone to mess with, so Mario’s going to have a tough road ahead of him to get ready for the final boss battle. While Bowser’s surrounded by his army of Koopas, hopefully, he won’t be all alone, and his children, Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings, could also pop up.
Princess Peach
There was one glaring and strange omission from the trailer and that was the absence of Princess Peach. The Queen’s Gambit’s Anya Taylor-Joy is voicing the effervescent damsel-in-distress. It’s anyone’s guess why she wasn’t included in the teaser, even just in a quick shot like Luigi, but that’s just something to look forward to when more footage becomes available.
Ideally, Peach’s whole role isn’t being captured and locked away by Bowser. She’s gotten some action in the games, showcasing her talents in the Super Smash Bros. series, so perhaps she can join Mario in the final fight.
Luigi
Fans were delighted to see Luigi pop up even briefly in the teaser, and naturally, he’s running away from his enemies. This is another case for perfect casting as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Charlie Day is voicing Mario’s scaredy-cat brother, Luigi. That’s sure to be a very funny portrayal that could garner its own spin-off after The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Luigi has helmed his own popular haunted house video game series, Luigi’s Mansion, and many fans would love to see that make its way into the film and beyond. He’s already seen running away from some Dry Bones, zombielike Koopas, so they’d just need to bring in Professor E. Gadd, the Boos, and other ghosts, and then Luigi could have his very own spooky movie.
Toad
The Mushroom Kingdom is inhabited primarily by the Toads, who feature heavily in the first teaser. The main toad, the one everyone knows, is being voiced by Keegan-Michael Key. He already sounds great, and Key will surely bring a fun and entertaining energy to the role thanks to his comedy and character background on Key & Peele.
Interestingly, there’s a thought that Key could actually be voicing all the Toads like how Dee Bradley Baker voices all the clones in the Star Wars animated series. That’s just a hilarious thought to entertain, so hopefully, it turns out to be true.
Donkey Kong
The cast could’ve just included Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and Bowser, and it still would’ve made for a great film, but audiences are being treated to another iconic Nintendo character. Seth Rogen is voicing Donkey Kong, although it’s still unknown whether he’ll be an ally or foe to Mario as he fights against Bowser. Whatever the case, The Super Mario Bros. Movie could very well become one of Seth Rogen’s most rewatchable movies.
Interestingly, what many people might not be aware of nowadays is that Mario actually debuted in the first Donkey Kong game in 1981, so it seems right that Donkey Kong is along for the ride in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Hopefully, he’s not alone as characters like Yoshi, Daisy, or Birdo would also be welcome sights in the film.
Cranky Kong
There’s already a case for Donkey Kong to get his own spin-off following The Super Mario Bros. Movie like Luigi, but the inclusion of Cranky Kong just sweetens the deal. Fred Armisen voices Donkey Kong’s crotchety, old grandfather. While it will likely be a small role, with Armisen voicing, Cranky Kong will certainly be quite amusing.
With Donkey Kong and Cranky Kong, the rest of the Kong family could come, whether actually in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a sequel, and/or a spin-off. That would include Diddy Kong, Dixie Kong, and Funky Kong, to name a few, and they could all team up against Donkey Kong’s nemesis King K. Rool.
Kamek
Mario might have all these allies on his side, but Bowser is not on his own. Beyond his nameless army full of all sorts of Koopas, he is joined by his right-hand Magikoopa, Kamek. He is voiced by the Emmy Award-winning voice-actor extraordinaire, Kevin Michael Richardson. Like Bowser, Kamek’s already showed some impressive strength, magically throwing all the Penguins away like it was nothing, earning the place as second-most powerful Koopas.
Kamek’s inclusion does give even more hope for Yoshi’s arrival since he first appeared in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island, and he’s become a common enemy to the beloved green dinosaur. He is also the caretaker for Baby Bowser in Yoshi’s games, so that could mean he’s likely responsible for caring for Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Foreman Spike
When asked who many fans would love to see in The Super Mario Bros. Movie as minor or secondary antagonists, most would likely say Wario and/or Waluigi. The flame of hope for those two will likely not dwindle anytime soon, but at this point, they haven’t been confirmed. However, one similar character that has is Foreman Spike, voiced by stand-up comedian Sebastian Maniscalo.
Spike is from 1985’s Wrecking Crew game in which he was Mario and Luigi’s boss and foreman, though he constantly tried to hinder their good work. That’s likely the role he’ll fill in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and it’s quite exciting to see them bring in a rather obscure character.