Nintendo and Illumination have announced that Super Mario Galaxy will be the next film following The Super Mario Bros. Movie. This decision surprised many, as there were few expectations for the adaptation of the Wii games to come so soon. Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri have discussed the reasoning behind this choice.
Miyamoto explained that they did not view the project as a sequel but rather as “the next movie.” He noted that Illumination suggested Super Mario Galaxy as a viable option, highlighting the potential to broaden the universe established in the first film. The original movie focused on adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom, and Miyamoto believed that exploring the galaxy would offer exciting new opportunities.
He elaborated on the collaborative discussions with Meledandri. Initially, they aimed not to recreate the game directly for the movie, as that would detract from the fun. However, throughout the creative process, they discovered elements that naturally aligned with the game, resulting in a storyline that felt cohesive, albeit not strictly a sequel.
Meledandri added that their collaboration began by brainstorming various ideas, including games like Super Mario World or Odyssey. However, Super Mario Galaxy’s unique qualities caught their attention. They found its cinematic aspects, along with the dramatic elements associated with the character Rosalina and the game’s music, inspiring. This emotional depth seemed to lend itself well to developing a new narrative.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is currently in theatres. Additionally, Miyamoto recently discussed the potential for a Super Smash Bros. film, revealing ongoing interest in expanding this animated universe.
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