Just two movies in and already uncovering an entire galaxy of adventure (and unfathomable amounts of money for Nintendo and Universal), there’s no way there isn’t more planet-hopping and 3D platforming in store for Mario and Luigi on the big screen. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie one-ups the first film in terms of scale and the depths of franchise lore it’s pulling from (from obvious cameos like Super Mario Galaxy’s Honey Queen to deeper cuts like an extended gag based on Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time), and somehow it barely even scratches the surface of the ever-growing library of games starring the two plumbing brothers. It’s a far cry from the bizarre, unrecognizable nature of the notorious 90s attempt. Spoilers ahead.
Although the film ends with the newly undead Dry Bowser (Jack Black) and his son Bowser Jr. (Benny Safdie) locked up in a Luma-guarded prison, courtesy of Mario (Chris Pratt), Luigi (Charlie Day), Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), her surprise sister Rosalina (Brie Larson), and an MVP piloting performance from Fox McCloud (Glen Powell), based on the film’s post-credits scene, it’s clear that there’s more story to be told beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. In fact, considering a throwaway plot reveal earlier in the film, there might even be more story to be told beyond Mario’s own universe.
