The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Was Never Framed As A Sequel

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is now in theaters, but don't call it a sequel to 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It was never designed to be a sequel to that film or a re-telling of Super Mario Galaxy the game.

In an interview with Polygon, Illumination boss Chris Meledandri said the team kicked around ideas for a follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and some of the possibilities included a Super Mario World or Super Mario Odyssey movie. However, the qualities of Super Mario Galaxy--including the cinematic and dramatic opportunities--were "immediately exciting," he said.

"Just the whole feeling of the drama that's associated with Rosalina as a character and how that's reflected in the music of Galaxy. That feeling was something we thought could really inform a new story," Meledandri said.