Thanks to Donkey Kong’s inclusion in the first Mario movie, TheSuper Mario Bros. Movie 2 already has an easy way to replace Bowser. Though a sequel has yet to be confirmed, a follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie feels inevitable after its record-breaking success at the box office. And when a second movie does arrive, it’ll face the challenge of finding a new threat for Mario and his friends to overcome.
In The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s ending, Mario’s archenemy was finally defeated, and as a punishment for his actions, was shrunken by a Mini Mushroom. Obviously, such a size change can be reversed, but while it is relatively easy to imagine a scenario where Bowser breaks free and renews his attacks on the Mushroom Kingdom, the Koopa King being the main villain again is far from guaranteed. Rather than follow the direction of the games and pit Mario against Bowser repeatedly, the movie may look to replace the character with a new antagonist.
How King K. Rool Could Fight Mario In Super Mario Bros. Movie 2
Though he may come across as an unlikely option, King K. Rool is among the most appealing choices for The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2’s villain. King K. Rool has never appeared in a mainline Mario game, yet bears a connection to the character via his place in Donkey Kong’s corner of the universe. Introduced in Donkey Kong Country in 1994, the character has a reputation as Donkey Kong’s greatest enemy. And since Donkey Kong Island was established as one of the worlds in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, King K. Rool should already exist in the canon of the film.
If King K. Rool is around, it wouldn’t be difficult to bring him into the fold. After all, the Mushroom Kingdom and Donkey Kong’s homeland have formal ties to each other now that they’ve fought together as allies. Were King K. Rool to show up in the sequel, Cranky Kong and Donkey Kong could turn to Princess Peach for help in the same way that the Mushroom Kingdom sought out their aid in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Considering the much-needed assistance the Kongs provided and the greater threat King K. Rool would present, it’s likely Mario, Peach, and perhaps Luigi would agree to help with the problem.
King K. Rool’s history in Donkey Kong’s games would justify a team-up between Mario and Donkey Kong in The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2. In the Donkey Kong Country video games, King K. Rool is the leader of an army of lizard monsters called the Kremlings that try to invade Donkey Kong’s home. Each game sees the protagonists fight off the Kremlings and force a showdown with King K. Rool. Mario is never included, but since they share the same universe in the movie’s canon, it would make sense for Mario to be called upon to help with any efforts to repel a Kremling invasion.
Despite Being A Donkey Kong Villain, King K. Rool Would Be The Best Bowser Replacement
Mario and Luigi joining forces with Donkey Kong and company to fight King K. Rool would be an unconventional plotline for a Mario story, but Bowser’s role in Mario’s games admittedly puts the sequel in a unique situation. Mario has a rich rogues’ gallery, but it’s important to keep in mind that the vast majority of its members are minions of Bowser. In the Mario franchise, Bowser has no real rival for the title of Mario’s biggest villain. While not unheard of, it is rare for a Mario game to use a character other than Bowser as the villain.
Characters like Bowser Jr., Smithy, and King Boo all exist as possible replacements, but none feel like villains that can fully escape Bowser’s shadow. King K. Rool, on the other hand, may have what it takes to accomplish that lofty feat. He’s no stranger to main villain roles and can easily rise to the equation in the absence of better choices from Mario’s games. Strengthening his case as a candidate for the sequel’s villain are the monsters that follow him. Rather than borrow Bowser’s minions, King K. Rool would have his own the movie could use. Donkey Kong’s games are chock-full of different Kremling types that serve in King K. Rool’s army.
King K. Rool As The Villain Would Continue One Of The First Movie’s Best Stories
With King K. Rool as its central antagonist, The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 would be in a prime position to continue one of its predecessor’s best surprises. Though Luigi is his usual partner in his adventures, Donkey Kong made for an interesting substitute. The movie planned entire action sequences around the duo of Mario and Donkey Kong, with their interactions doing much to enhance both the movie’s story and its comedy. Presumably, a story where King K. Rool is the focus would call for an even greater emphasis on Mario’s dynamic with Donkey Kong. As King K. Rool’s hated foe, Donkey Kong would most assuredly receive a substantial role.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
Mario jumps to the big screen in The Super Mario Bros Movie, directed by Teen Titans Go! collaborators Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, and more appear in this animated comedy that pits the characters in an all-new adventure set in the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond. You can buy The Super Mario Bros. Movie right now for $13, down from its usual price of $20.
- Release Date
- April 5, 2023
- Cast
- Chris Pratt , Charlie Day , Jack Black , Anya Taylor-Joy , Keegan Michael Key , Seth Rogen
