As Mario is the primary hero of the Super Mario Bros. series, it’s only natural that he would take the spotlight of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Princess Peach’s leading role in the film is also well-deserved, as the Mushroom Kingdom’s Princess is the usual reason Mario takes on Bowser.
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However, there are several fan favorite Mario characters who would make a great and compelling lead for a film of their own. A few even have their own games, which would make strong source material for an excellent movie. For those who don’t have their own games yet, a film would be a fun way to explore and develop these characters more.
8 Luigi
Luigi is an easy pick for a character who needs their own movie. Often sidelined by his brother Mario, Luigi is beloved by many fans who would absolutely love to see a Luigi film.
As far as the plot, basing a film off of the Luigi’s Mansion games would be a smart move for a spin-off of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Its darker tone would set it apart from Mario’s adventure, and the haunted ghost house theme would make it the perfect kid-friendly Halloween film.
7 Yoshi
Mario’s faithful companion, the loveable dinosaur Yoshi, would also make an excellent lead character for a film because of his source material. A Yoshi’s Island-inspired movie, putting Yoshi and all his colorful friends front and center, would be a wonderful dose of nostalgia. A Yoshi’s Island movie could even adopt the art style, setting it apart from The Super Mario Bros. movie, as the games are stylistically unique.
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The only tricky part of a Yoshi movie is the casting, as a movie probably couldn’t rely on Yoshi’s few signature phrases and noises. It would need actual dialogue, and finding the ideal voice of Yoshi would be more controversial than Chris Pratt’s Mario voice.
6 Rosalina
Since her introduction in Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina has become a major part of the Mario cast. Her mysterious origins would make her a compelling and fascinating character to explore on the big screen.
A Rosalina movie could explore her past as told in Super Mario Galaxy, showing how she became the Lumas’ protector. To add more suspense and drama to her backstory, the film could also pit her against a major cosmic threat and reveal how she came to possess her unique powers.
5 The Koopalings
The Koopalings would be a fun focus for a spin-off film. With an ensemble of characters including Iggy, Larry, Lemmy, Ludwig, Morton, Roy, and Wendy, there’s a ton of potential for interesting and humorous dynamics between these iconic bosses. Since they lack solid backstory, a Koopalings film is wide open for creativity.
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One angle the film should probably explore is their relationship with Bowser and how they came to be a part of Bowser’s army. Initially introduced as Bowser’s kids, the Koopalings have since been retconned to mere minions, but this part of their history could lead into a story of how the Koopalings found a family of their own.
4 Captain Toad
Toads are prominently featured in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, so it would be an easy task to give the Toads a spin-off movie of their own. What better character to lead the Toad movie than Captain Toad, one of the series’ most recognizable Toad characters?
If a Captain Toad movie were ever made, Keegan-Michael Key should definitely return as his Toad character from the main Mario movie. For the leading role of Captain Toad, Jordan Peele would be the best choice, as the comedic duo would create one of the funniest animated films of all time.
3 Wario & Waluigi
Wario and Waluigi, as rivals to the Mario Bros., would make great leads for a parody-like film of the Mario Bros. series. The two characters would definitely set a comedic tone for a movie of their own, relying mostly on slapstick and toilet humor. A Wario and Waluigi movie could take place in WarioWare, with a plot centering on one of Wario’s games or pranks gone horribly wrong.
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If they don’t get a movie of their own, Wario and Waluigi are certainly characters we’d love to see in a Super Mario Bros. film, as they have a lot of potential to make trouble for Mario and Luigi.
2 Goombella
Goombella is one of Mario’s companions in the Paper Mario games, playing a significant role in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. As a character from the best Paper Mario game, Goombella would be a fun choice for her own movie, with many fans who would remember her.
The Goomba also has a spunky personality, which would make her a great lead character. Goombella also has a passion for archaeology and is a student at the University of Goom, both elements of her character that a movie could use as the basis for an intriguing plot.
1 Fawful
One of the best Mario villains other than Bowser, Fawful is one of the big bads from the Mario & Luigi RPG series. A film starring him would appeal to longtime Mario fans, especially those who played the Mario & Luigi games he’s in, as well as highlight a new Mario boss that casual fans may not know.
A Fawful movie would be most successful as a villain origin story, showing how he came to be evil. This could set him up as the main antagonist for a future Super Mario Bros. movie sequel.
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