Illumination's ‘Super Mario Bros’ Movie Gets First Teaser
This Spring, arguably the most iconic video game character in history is coming to the big screen (again).
Universal Pictures has released the first teaser for Illumination Entertainment and Nintendo’s animated Super Mario Bros. feature and with it, we get our first full look at the Italian plumber’s theatrical adventure in the Mushroom Kingdom. Produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto, the new movie is directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic and features a voice cast that includes Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Jack Black as Bowser and perhaps most controversially, Chris Pratt as Mario.
Since making his debut in 1981 with the arcade game Donkey Kong, Mario has become a global and recognizable icon of mass media, spawning a video game franchise of more than 200 games of numerous genres, three animated television series and comics among others. There was even a live action film in 1993 with Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo as the plumber brothers. The film was a critical and commercial disaster which made Nintendo reluctant to license its characters for theatrical features. That changed in recent years as Miyamoto met with Meledandri to discuss a potential animated film which became official in 2018.
The premise of this new film is expected to follow the game’s storyline with many surprises along the way. Mario and Luigi must travel across the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Peach, who is being held captive by Bowser, the powerful Koopa King who wants to make the kingdom his own and control its Power Stars. There will likely be more details about the film but Nintendo and Universal are keeping them very hush hush.
From the first scene, it definitely seems like a big lush animated epic that captures the game’s world while also opening up many opportunities that the medium of film animation can open up. The animation itself stays true to the game but still feels very cinematic and ambitious for Illumination. Despite being known more for his comedic work, Black comes off as surprisingly intimidating voicing Bowser and although we’re only given a few lines of dialogue, it sounds like he gets the cockiness, power hungry and loud persona that the villain is known for. Fans reactions to this first trailer have universally praised Black as the highlight making it something for fans to look forward to when the final product is released.
And then we get to the hero himself. Ever since it was announced that Pratt would be voicing Mario last year, fans have not exactly endorsed his casting as many feel he does not personify the character beyond just being another Chris Pratt role. Others have wondered why Illumination didn’t go with current Mario voice actor of the games Charles Martinet who has given the character his unique Italian charm for 30 years. Sadly, it does not appear like this first trailer has done much to quell those concerns as reactions to the voice have been considered bland and uninspired. However, in Pratt’s defense, this trailer does not give him many lines nor does it establish Mario’s character plus this is a different iteration of the franchise meaning he could potentially win over fans in future trailers or in the finished movie.
Video game adaptations are certainly more miss than hit but two recent releases may be a good sign for Mario in terms of success. Detective Pikachu, the live action film based on the multi billion dollar Pokemon franchise, and the two Sonic The Hedgehog movies from Paramount and SEGA. The later also had its share of pre release controversy over how the title character was designed that fans found off putting forcing the studio to delay the release to redesign him in a more appealing way. The result is a new film series that Universal hopes to emulate here. In addition, Illumination’s track record at the box office is near perfect so the chances of this being a huge hit are high.
There is still months to go and there will certainly still be skepticism from some fans but Super Mario Bros. seems on track for a successful run that coincides with the Easter holidays where kids will have time off.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie hits theatres April 7 2023.
Check out the full trailer, below:
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