By Pierre Lorenz on September 28, 2021 at 10:28 am

Last weekend, an animated film about "Super Mario Bros." was announced with great media impact, and it is already in production. This is not a bad move, after all, the bouncing Italian plumber is one of the best-known video game characters around, and just about everyone has warped through pipes and hurled turtle shells at enemies. After the unsuccessful live-action adaptation "Super Mario Bros." from 1993, a new screen appearance is badly needed, because what was seen back then elicits either broad laughter or a dismissive head-shaking today. So it's all the better that, first, it's an animated movie and second, that the voice actors are as popular and talented as Mario himself.

Marvel star Chris Pratt takes on the lead role, while other roles will feature Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Mario's brother Luigi and Jack Black as Bowser. Toad will be voiced by Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen will appear as Donkey Kong and Fred Armisen as Donkey Kong's grandpa Cranky Kong. Kevin Michael Richardson and Sebastian Maniscalco also appear in supporting roles as Bowser's companions.

Of course, this brings up the question of the film's plot. For this we will have to be patient for a little longer. However, speculation that Peach will be kidnapped by Bowser and Mario and his friends will have to rescue her once again is probably not a bit of a stretch. According to "Super Mario" creator Shigeru Miyamoto, work on the film is already well underway and has been running smoothly so far. The same studio that is also responsible for the success of the Minions is in charge of the ideal implementation. So besides the outstanding cast, you can look forward to some first-class animated action. "Super Mario Bros: The Movie" is scheduled for release in the United States on December 21, 2022.