The upcoming “Super Mario Bros. Movie” is expected to be a major box office success despite Chris Pratt’s underwhelming performance. It’s no surprise that a collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination Studios is bound to attract audiences. Mario is an iconic character, and the nostalgia factor alone is enough to draw in a crowd. But with Illumination’s track record of creating the mesmerizing yet vexing Minions franchise, even non-gamers may be enticed to watch the film, if only to keep their kids entertained and prevent them from incessantly chanting “banana.” However, it’s worth noting that the Minions’ language can be grating to some viewers.
In short, “Super Mario Bros.” is predicted to be a huge success. Both Nintendo and Illumination seem to anticipate this, as rumors suggest that a Donkey Kong spin-off film featuring Seth Rogen is in the works. If true, this could mark the beginning of a new era of animated films. The two studios might be setting the foundation for a “Super Smash Bros.” movie universe, where characters such as Mario (unfortunately portrayed by Pratt), Link from “The Legend of Zelda,” and Samus Aran from “Metroid” can coexist in the same cinematic space.
Warner Bros. and DC Comics have already shown how risky it can be to rush into a major crossover event without proper development. Despite any spin-off films, it’s essential for Nintendo and Illumination to establish their own equivalent of “Iron Man 2” before attempting an “Avengers” level event. Moreover, if the studios aim to create a unique universe without relying on the tired “save the princess” plot, they could draw inspiration from a particular game with a strong narrative. We have a great recommendation for them.
Mario’s Competitive Nature Shows No Allegiance
If we were to eliminate all the “Bowser kidnaps Peach” storylines, there would still be a good number of Mario games to choose from. For instance, the “Paper Mario” series has a more complex and engaging plot. However, the game’s appeal is largely based on its distinct visual style, which may not translate well to 3D animation. There are also other exciting game genres, such as “Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker,” the “WarioWare” series, and the “Luigi’s Mansion” series. Although these games don’t center around Mario, which defeats the purpose of a “Super Mario Bros.” sequel, they offer great potential for spin-off titles in other Nintendo franchises.
Here’s an interesting thought: Has anyone ever taken notice of Mario’s fondness for sports?
Without a doubt, Nintendo’s most iconic character, Mario, spends a considerable amount of time engaging in sports activities. He is just as often seen on the tennis court, golf course, baseball diamond, and soccer field as he is performing his plumbing duties. But his competitive spirit is not limited to sports alone. He also participates in obstacle courses, board games, and Go Kart racing, among other activities that have nothing to do with his profession. Mario’s love for competition is indiscriminate, as he is just as eager to challenge and defeat Yoshi in a tug-of-war as he is to collaborate with Dry Bones on a paddleboat. These games are so impartially inclusive that some fans have even developed a meta-story suggesting that the kidnapping and conquering scenario is merely a front to keep up appearances between kingdoms.
If a sequel to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” were to be made, it would be wise to embrace the Jackbox concept with great enthusiasm. Luckily, there is a series of Mario-themed sports games that would provide Nintendo and Illumination with the perfect opportunity to do just that while also introducing a new character (who is still recognizable, of course) to the “Super Smash Bros.” cinematic universe. Naturally, that series is none other than the “Mario & Sonic” games.
Sonic + Mario = infinite possibilities
Believe it or not, the “Mario & Sonic” series is actually about Mario and Sonic, as well as their supporting cast (including their adversaries), participating in the ultimate athletic competition – the Olympics. Whether it’s archery, snowboarding, or pole vaulting, Mario and Sonic have tried every sport featured in the Summer and Winter Olympics.
It must be acknowledged that the “Mario & Sonic” games don’t offer much in terms of a narrative, which could be a significant challenge. However, they provide boundless potential. For instance, consider how “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” incorporated elements from various games, including “Mario Kart.” Donkey Kong, who is not strictly a Mario character but has his own franchise, also made an appearance. Similarly, Sonic is not owned by Nintendo but instead rented out by Sega. With that said, it should be made clear that this idea will only work if Paramount agrees to lend out their version of Sonic (played by Ben Schwartz). Anything less than this would risk being seen as a repeat of Ugly Sonic (played by Tim Robinson) from “Chip n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers,” and one such instance is already more than enough. Is it probable that Paramount would agree to this? Probably not. The path that led to Marvel and Sony jointly overseeing “Spider-Man” is nearly impossible to replicate. But for the time being, let’s pretend.
If all the studios agree, the “Mario & Sonic” series could provide an excellent starting point for a thrilling storyline. It’s worth noting that Sonic’s franchise already revealed that the golden rings are a portal between worlds. So, bringing Sonic to the Mushroom Kingdom wouldn’t be a big challenge. Moreover, their animation styles match perfectly!
A Creative Pitch for an Unrealistic Sonic and Mario Film
After the events of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” Mario and Luigi (played by Charlie Day) decide to remain in the Mushroom Kingdom. While they are acclimatized to the strange world, the brothers still long for their home. Mario comes up with a plan to address this, suggesting to Princess Peach (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) that she should try out some of the games he used to play back home. Peach agrees, and so the Mario brothers try to teach Toad (played by Keegan Michael-Key) and their new friends how to play sports. The result is complete pandemonium, with Toad struggling to hold a tennis racket without falling over and Yoshi likely to eat a soccer ball. The hijinks practically write themselves.
As Mario gets into his groove, Sonic suddenly appears. There’s no need for a lengthy explanation, as he’s likely just out exploring with his friend Tails (voiced by Colleen O’Shaughnessy). Regardless of the reason, Sonic quickly recognizes the sport being played and eagerly asks to join in. Mario suddenly finds himself facing legitimate competition. Bowser (played by Jack Black) catches wind of the action to make matters more interesting. Since he doesn’t have many friends, being an evil dictator and all, Bowser disguises his desire for companionship as a thirst for revenge. However, as he joins the games, this facade slowly crumbles. While there’s no need for a clear antagonist, the natural tension and camaraderie of competition create plenty of character conflict that gets resolved — or exacerbated — as the story unfolds. Ultimately, Sonic can be sent back to his own universe using another magic ring.
To summarize, the follow-up to “Super Mario Bros.” should be a sports comedy that takes Nintendo’s cinematic aspirations to the next level. It’s what we truly deserve.
