Is Nintendo aiming to build a cinematic universe? That’s the question that began circulating on social media after the company’s surprise revelation: a cameo by Fox McCloud in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
The inclusion of the iconic space pilot, protagonist of the
Star Fox saga, marks an unprecedented event in Nintendo’s animated adaptations. Until now, the films had kept the characters within their respective universes, but this move suggests a possible change of strategy.
The presence of
Fox McCloud had already been anticipated by fans after a brief glimpse in one of the trailers. However, days before the film’s release, the character was officially presented along with his Arwing ship in a promotional poster.
Does this represent a break from Nintendo’s usual philosophy? As the legendary creative Shigeru Miyamoto had explained: “At Nintendo, there’s a kind of unwritten rule: Mario must stay in the Mario universe, or Splatoon must stay in Splatoon, and we don’t use different characters in the same place.”
However, Miyamoto himself has acknowledged exceptions, such as the Pikmin, and now also
Star Fox.
We recommend reading:Yoshi joins Mario and Luigi in “Super Mario Galaxy: The Movie”
Who is Fox McCloud and why is he key?
Fox McCloud debuted in 1993 in the video game
Star Fox for Super Nintendo and became one of the company’s most popular characters. As leader of the Star Fox team, he is an expert pilot who fights intergalactic threats.
Its relevance, however, transcends its own franchise. Fox is one of the founding characters of the video game Super Smash Bros., where he has appeared in all installments since 1999, along with figures like Mario, Link, and Pikachu. This constant presence positions him as a natural link between different Nintendo intellectual properties.
For this reason, various analyses indicate that this new installment “seems to be building” a scenario that could lead to a film adaptation of
Super Smash Bros., a title that precisely brings together characters from multiple franchises. The idea implies enormous commercial and narrative potential, although it would also involve an ambitious commitment on the part of the company.
What ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ is about
The film, a sequel to the successful 2023 animated film that grossed over $1.3 billion at the global box office, moves Mario’s story to space. According to a synopsis released by IGN, the plot will follow the plumber after defeating Bowser, now facing a new threat:
the alliance between Wario and Bowser Jr., who seek world domination.
In this cosmic adventure, Mario will have the help of his usual allies, as well as new characters that expand the narrative universe.
The sequel retains its original voice cast:
Chris Pratt returns as Mario, accompanied by
Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach,
Charlie Day as Luigi, and
Jack Black as Bowser.
Joining them are
Brie Larson as Rosalina,
Donald Glover as Yoshi, and
Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr. The film is directed again by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with a script by Matthew Fogel and music by Brian Tyler.
The film was produced by Illumination and Nintendo, with the participation of Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri. Its theatrical release is scheduled for April 1st.
