Blow on your cartridge, pop it in your console, and hit power cause The Super Mario Bros. movie is about to be revealed. Universal has given us the very first look at the new movie, which will be adapted from one of the most prolific video game franchises in the world. The teaser trailer is due to premiere on Thursday; however, we can get a sneak peek of what’s in store with the new teaser poster that’s just been released.
“Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (collaborators on Teen Titans Go!, Teen Titans Go! To the Movies) from a screenplay by Matthew Fogel (The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, Minions: The Rise of Gru), the film stars Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek and Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike.”
As of yet, there hasn’t been an official announcement on what the plot entails. However, fans of the game will be familiar with the base plot, which involves Mario’s arch enemy, Bowser, kidnapping the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach, and holding her hostage in one of his castles. In the game, it’s up to the plucky Italian plumbers, Mario and Luigi, to navigate the obstacle-ridden kingdom and castles in order to find and rescue her.
This, of course, will be the second attempt at adapting the video game franchise into a feature film. The first attempt back in 1993 was an effort to translate the surreal world of the games into a live-action movie. It was panned critically and commercially. The film starred Bob Hoskins as Mario, John Leguizamo as Luigi, Samantha Mathis as Daisy, and Dennis Hopper as Koopa. The film suffered from an identity crisis and had to take liberties with the lore in order to ground it in a reality than can be presented on film. It has since gained a cult following, but this newest attempt, being animated, looks like it will draw more direct inspiration from the games.
The Super Mario Bros. is slated to warp to theaters on April 7, 2023.