The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2: What We Know So Far

The Inevitability of Super Mario Bros. Movie 2

The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with a budget of $100 million, grossed an astounding $1.36 billion, solidifying its position as the second-highest-grossing movie of 2023, just behind Barbie. The immense success of the first movie has naturally raised expectations for a sequel in the franchise, but the lack of positive updates from Universal Pictures, Illumination, or Nintendo has left fans wondering about the status of The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2.

Bowser evil smile in The Super Mario Bros Movie

Despite the silence, the first movie introduced a multitude of Mario characters that have the potential to carry their own franchises. Moreover, the vast universe of the Super Mario Bros. franchise offers numerous worlds that could be adapted for The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2. Additionally, the possibility of a Luigi's Mansion movie could serve to redeem the character of Luigi, among other potential avenues for expansion. With such abundant source material and the undeniable success of the first movie, it seems inevitable that an official sequel announcement will eventually make headlines.

Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The Factors Behind the Lack of Updates

The success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, coupled with the positive reception it received, makes The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 an inevitable prospect. The expansive Super Mario Bros. universe offers endless possibilities for adaptation, and the success of video game adaptations such as Sonic The Hedgehog 2 further supports the potential for more movies in the franchise. However, the scarcity of news regarding the sequel raises questions about the reasons behind the lack of updates.

Despite the hints from the cast and crew, including Jack Black's ideas for a Bowser-focused sequel, there has been minimal progress in the official announcement of The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2. The WGA strike also posed a hurdle to the sequel's plans, but with the strike reaching a resolution, there is hope for progress. Additionally, the movie's success on streaming platforms provides an opportunity for it to gain new life among audiences while the studios work on the sequel's development.

The Wait for Quality: Nintendo's Strategic Focus

The focus on The Legend of Zelda live-action movie by Nintendo has contributed to the lack of updates on The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2. This strategic shift in focus may have pushed The Super Mario Bros. 2 further down the list of priorities for the studios involved. Despite the disappointment of the recent news, the deliberate approach of Universal Pictures, Illumination, and Nintendo to The Super Mario Bros. 2 suggests a dedication to delivering a quality product rather than capitalizing on the momentum of the first movie's success.

While the lack of updates may lead to concern among fans, it is important to recognize that the studios' attention to detail and quality could ultimately result in a sequel that exceeds expectations and maintains the legacy of the franchise. The delay, although frustrating, may indeed be a blessing in disguise, indicating a commitment to excellence in the development of The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2.