While major films based on video games used to be a dicey proposition, they’re becoming something of an industry staple. Since the financial success of projects like “Detective Pikachu” (2019) and “Sonic the Hedgehog” (2020) shattered the glass ceiling, various studios have greenlit plans for movies and TV shows based on Dungeons & Dragons, MegaMan, Pac-Man, and more.
Perhaps the most anticipated is the upcoming “Super Mario Bros” movie, the first attempt to capture Nintendo’s trademark franchise on the big screen since 1993’s ill-fated adaptation became one of Hollywood’s most infamous bombs (or “bob-ombs,” if you prefer). This time, the filmmakers have mercifully avoided live action in favor of computer animation by Illumination Studios Paris (“Despicable Me,” “The Secret Life of Pets”).
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Headlining the star-studded voice cast is the reliably puckish Chris Pratt as the iconic plumber, with Charlie Day as his trusty brother/sidekick Luigi and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach. Meanwhile, the villainous Bowser will be voiced by Jack Black, and Toad and Donkey Kong will be portrayed by Keegan-Michael Key and Seth Rogen, respectively.
As franchise expansion becomes more and more dominant in the movies, Nintendo stands to be a powerful player in the years ahead. If “Super Mario Bros.” is a hit, company president Shuntaro Furukawa has approved more films based on its characters; a Donkey Kong spin-off is reportedly already in the works, with Rogen reprising his role. And that’s not to mention Nintendo’s deep catalog of other video games ripe for a proper cinematic adaptation; never has a “The Legend of Zelda” fantasy film or a Samus-led sci-fi movie seemed like less of a pipe dream than an inevitability.
But first things first. The “Super Mario Bros.” movie is set to arrive sometime in early 2023. Until then, jump into the trailer below.