The Super Mario Bros. Movie from Universal/Illumination/Nintendo is the newest Hollywood film to be given a release date in China. The popular gaming franchise will be adapted for the big screen on April 5, two days before the home release on April 7, and in time for the Ching Ming Festival as well as certain other foreign markets.
Since last year, China has changed its approach and has been consistently and with a greater notice announcing release dates for studio films. The release date for Super Mario Bros. is announced five weeks beforehand, giving time for marketing and promotion.
Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, who worked together on Teen Titans Go! and Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, are in charge of directing the movie about the well-known videogame plumbers, kart drivers, and turtle squashers from a script by Matthew Fogel (The Lego Movie 2, Minions: The Rise of Gru).
Chris Pratt plays Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy portrays Princess Peach, Charlie Day plays Luigi, Jack Black plays Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key plays Toad, Seth Rogen plays Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen plays Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson plays Kamek, and Sebastian Maniscalco plays Spike in the video game Super Mario Bros.
Chinese audiences haven’t shown much interest in Hollywood films recently outside of Avatar: The Way of Water, despite the fact that Illumination and Pratt have a strong track record in franchise play, the Nintendo Switch console is available in China, and the Mario Bros. characters are reportedly well-known in the market.
Chris Meledandri, the creator and CEO of Illumination, and Shigeru Miyamoto are responsible for producing the movie for Nintendo. Universal is in charge of handling the global release, while Nintendo is a co-financier.
Super Nintendo World was showcased by Universal Studios Hollywood earlier this month at a grand opening celebration.
Other Hollywood films with impending day-and-date releases in China include Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
This is a Super Mario Bros. poster that was just unveiled:
