Nintendo held a dedicated Nintendo Direct event on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, unveiling the first official trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the much-anticipated sequel to 2023’s record-breaking The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Introduced by Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, the presentation confirmed that the sequel will take Mario, Princess Peach, and Luigi into space, drawing inspiration from the acclaimed Super Mario Galaxy video game series.
The biggest reveal came with the announcement of two major new cast members. Brie Larson joins the film as the cosmic heroine Rosalina, while Benny Safdie will voice Bowser Jr. The film, co-financed by Nintendo and Universal Pictures and produced by Illumination, is slated for a theatrical release on April 3, 2026.
Key Takeaways
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First Official Trailer: The Nintendo Direct showcased the first full trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
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New Cast Members: Brie Larson will voice Rosalina, guardian of the Lumas.
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New Character: Benny Safdie takes on the role of Bowser Jr., Bowser’s mischievous son.
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Returning Team: Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, writer Matthew Fogel, and the original voice cast all return.
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Release Date: The film arrives in theaters on April 3, 2026.
Returning Heroes and New Cosmic Characters
The sequel brings back the core voice cast from the first movie. Chris Pratt returns as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, and Jack Black once again voices the villainous Bowser. Keegan-Michael Key returns as Toad, with Kevin Michael Richardson reprising his role as Kamek.
The newly confirmed characters are essential to the Super Mario Galaxy storyline. Rosalina, making her debut in the film series, is portrayed as a powerful guardian and caretaker of the Lumas, the star-like creatures who assist Mario on his journey. Brie Larson, known for her performances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, lends her voice to the character. In the trailer, Rosalina is seen reading a storybook to a group of Lumas, hinting at her nurturing, almost maternal connection to them, a trait deeply rooted in her video game origin.
Bowser Jr. also joins the cinematic universe for the first time, voiced by Benny Safdie, the filmmaker and actor recognized for Uncut Gems and Oppenheimer. The trailer shows Bowser Jr. wielding a magical paintbrush, a familiar nod to his role in Super Mario Sunshine, and piloting a massive spider-shaped robot called Megaleg from the Super Mario Galaxy game. His storyline appears to revolve around rescuing his father, who has been miniaturized and captured by Mario and Luigi following the events of the previous film.
Plot Details and Creative Team
The trailer opens with a lighthearted scene featuring Mario and Luigi keeping a tiny, grumpy Bowser captive in a glass jar. Soon after, the plot takes off during the Star Festival, a celestial celebration that propels Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Toad into space using a Launch Star. Their cosmic adventure leads them through a variety of gravity-bending worlds, each with vivid, imaginative designs reminiscent of the original Super Mario Galaxy gameplay.
Among the glimpses in the trailer are a lush, spherical water planet and a desert planet with inverted pyramids, drawing partial inspiration from Super Mario Odyssey. Princess Peach is also seen actively fighting Ninjis using her parasol, suggesting she’ll play a more dynamic, action-driven role this time around.
Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic return to helm the project, ensuring the sequel retains the energy and tone that made the first film such a hit. Matthew Fogel, who penned the original, is back on writing duties, while Brian Tyler once again composes the score.
Altogether, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie looks like a bold step forward for Nintendo and Illumination’s cinematic universe, expanding the beloved Mario franchise into even grander territory. Following the first film’s impressive $1.3 billion box office success, this next chapter seems poised to aim higher, literally and figuratively, reaching for the stars.
Related FAQs
Q: When is The Super Mario Galaxy Movie releasing?
A: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be released in theaters worldwide on April 3, 2026.
Q: Who is Rosalina and who voices her in the movie?
A: Rosalina is a major character from the Super Mario Galaxy video game, known as the guardian of the Lumas. Actress Brie Larson voices Rosalina in the film.
Q: Will the original voice cast return for the sequel?
A: Yes, the main voice cast is returning, including Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, and Jack Black as Bowser.
Q: Does The Super Mario Galaxy Movie connect to the first film?
A: Yes, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a direct sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023).
