Just like its predecessor, the animated film The Super Mario Galaxy Movie from Universal and Illumination is packed with characters, enemies, and power-ups from throughout the history of the Super Mario video games, but this time there are also plenty of references to other Nintendo titles.
The first major crossover features Glen Powell as Fox McCloud, the pilot and protagonist of the “Star Fox” game series; Fox, who is also one of the original characters in the “Super Smash Bros.” fighting game series alongside Mario, plays a surprisingly significant role in the film for a character not belonging to the “Mario” universe, as he encounters Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Yoshi while they are stranded in space and offers to give them a ride in his Arwing spaceship before joining them in the battle against Bowser and Bowser Jr. (we even see a flashback of his past).
Not surprisingly, the first post-credit scene in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie focuses on Fox: in the secret sequence, Fox and one of the Toads fly to a deserted prison where Bowser (now in his Dry Bowser form after being burned by lava) and Bowser Jr. are locked up and defeated. The “Star Fox” theme accompanies the brief scene, and many fans hope this will lead to a “Star Fox” movie or even a crossover with “Super Smash Bros.”
Characters from across the Nintendo universe and beyond (such as Sonic and Pac-Man) come together to battle in the “Super Smash Bros.” games, and now many of these characters have been introduced in the “Mario” movies. Mario, Fox, Luigi, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong have appeared in every “Super Smash Bros.” roster, and characters like Peach, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Rosalina, and Diddy Kong joined in later installments. There have also been cameos by R.O.B., Mr. Game & Watch, and Captain Olimar’s Pikmin in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” for a total of 13 references to “Smash Bros.” characters, plus another in the final post-credits scene.
The second post-credits scene in Super Mario Galaxy, on the other hand, introduces Princess Daisy: she is one of the most popular characters in the “Mario” series. Previously, in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” Luigi had expressed a desire to have a princess of his own after Mario and Peach had grown closer, and it seems his wish will come true if a third movie is made. Daisy is often portrayed as Luigi’s love interest and appears in many “Mario” video games, as well as an alternate version of Peach in “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.”
So the film’s two post-credits scenes could hint at several different projects: a third Super Mario movie inspired by Smash Bros, or a Star Fox spin-off, or perhaps a third Super Mario movie with a plot centered on Daisy, or even a spin-off for Luigi.
What are your hopes for the future of the series? Let us know in the comments section!
