The Super Mario Bros. Movie has turned out to be a brutal success, becoming the highest-grossing animated film in its premiere in history. Without a doubt, Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic have done a fascinating job adapting the plumber’s worlds to the big screen, and audiences have responded accordingly.
As a result, Mario fans are already asking the obvious question: what will the sequel be about? Beyond the Donkey Kong spin-off in the form of a series, the public wants more of Mario after it became clear that his stories are a perfect fit for film. There is still no confirmed sequel, but considering that the studio behind the film is Illumination, which has made the Minions into a huge franchise, it’s clear which way it will go.
Below, we leave you with several paths the sequel should take to differentiate itself sufficiently from the first film and show that Mario‘s world is much broader. Of course, we have plenty of material to dream about, so it’s time to put it into practice.
A new villain: Pedro Pascal’s Wario?
Bowser has already given all he had to give in Super Mario Bros, and the Peaches, peaches, peaches has become an instant classic. But, while Jack Black‘s character may continue to make small appearances, if we don’t want this to turn into an Ash vs Team Rocket we need new enemies to beat.
In this regard, there are two villains who would be perfect to rival the protagonist brothers – Wario and Waluigi. Mario and Luigi’s counterparts have enough personality to not be the boring enemies of some Marvel movies, and they even have their own – and fun – games.
Wario debuted in Super Mario Land 2, as Hiroji Kiyotake’s creation, and has been appearing in new titles ever since, as well as being a Mario Kart classic. He’s recognizable enough to be the villain in the sequel, and his relationship with Waluigi could be hilarious to portray on screen; kind of like the thieves in Home Alone.
In addition, Jack Black has made it clear, in an interview for Game Spot, that Wario should be the bad guy in the sequel… and the actor playing him Pedro Pascal:
“It’s not assured that Bowser will be back. You know, I did a few Kung Fu Panda movies, and each one had a different villain. They might do the same thing. You know, what if there’s an even more powerful and evil villain? Then maybe he’d have to take a turn to help Mario and the rest defend our universe against some other unknown force. Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Wario! Pedro Pascal IS Wario.”
But there are other heavy-hitting foes who could also be the villains of the sequel. We’re thinking King Boo, Xenon or King Coco… though none would be as memorable as Wario.
New cameos… or a multiverse of Marios?
I would perhaps leave this idea for a foreseeable third part, but considering how fashionable multiverses are with Marvel and Everything Everywhere all at Once, it would not be surprising if they go down the road of showing the different worlds that Mario has starred in throughout his history.
In the first film, we saw in costume form how Mario stepped into the shoes of the “flying squirrel” that gave him new powers. But, if we explore, we can have something much crazier: Doctor Mario, the paper Mario from Paper Mario, the tennis Mario, the soccer Mario from Strikers… almost like in the Barbie trailer, we have a lot to choose from, and seeing the Spider-Man meme with Marios would be pretty funny.
Whether or not they go for the multiverses, what is clear is that we will continue to have cameos, references and easter eggs in the sequel. And we will also be able to continue seeing Mario in different roles, as if he were Mortadelo.
Yoshi’s moment
In the post-credits scene of Super Mario Bros: The Movie we saw how a dinosaur egg, lost in the sewers of Brooklyn, was broken before a final “Yoshi” sounded. This makes it clear that Mario’s particular mount will be in the sequel, but in what form?
Much has been said that, to paraphrase the 1993 film, we may see a sort of Godzilla with Yoshi in the film’s sequel. However, this may only be a first part of the sequel, and simply serve to reopen the doors between worlds and let new characters (such as Wario and Waluigi, of course) know of the existence of the Mushroom Kingdom.
What is clear is that the relationship between Mario and Yoshi will be explored in the sequel. Considering that Mario is dubbed by Chris Pratt, could they do some homage to Jurassic World with a scene in which he tames Yoshi? Let’s not rule it out.
More Luigi’s presence: it’s time for the siblings
The second part of the movie should also take Luigi into account. Even though he appears as the main character in part of the main movie, he is soon wiped off the map to leave Mario alone in his adventure. However, much of what is essential to this saga is the relationship between the brothers, and this should continue to be exploited.
That’s why we imagine a much more choral sequel between the two, and if they have to face common friends –we return to Wario and Waluigi – it wouldn’t hurt for them to make a combo. Of course, we can always separate them again for a good reason: to see a Luigi’s Mansion movie or series. Where to sign up?
Great games to be adapted
Finally, and although they have gone for a first film that serves as a mix of many titles, it is clear that there are many, many Mario games that can be adapted to the big screen. And almost all of them could serve as the main plot to explore new stories.
Without going any further, Super Mario Sunshine would take us to a summer sequel full of water, swimsuits and fun. Super Mario Galaxy would have us explore the entire galaxy with a Mario discoverer of new worlds. Super Mario Odyssey would pick up the protagonist’s cap to tell an unparalleled adventure through the Mushroom Kingdom. And Super Mario World would put us on the back of Yoshi to explore unique levels.
It is clear that there is a lot of juice to draw from, although it is most likely that they will pull for new independent stories that, in turn, drink from all these references that we have mentioned.
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