Mario’s arch-nemesis Bowser is one of the most iconic video game villains, and his big screen iteration is crying out for a spin-off. The Super Mario Bros. Movie has been a huge box office success despite mixed reviews, owing in large part to the popularity of the source material. Still, the film itself has plenty to recommend, including its well-done animation and catchy musical score, and will likely kick off a whole Nintendo-based franchise, with adaptations of The Legend of Zelda or Kirby being distinct possibilities.
Mario will likely stay at the center of Universal and Illumination’s Nintendo plans, and the movie breaking numerous financial records makes that a safe bet. Any number of ideas for future installments could work, including a spinoff for Donkey Kong. However, Bowser is a character the brain trust should pay attention to if they want to expand the franchise in a less predictable way.
Bowser Is One Of The Movie’s Most Memorable Characters
Bowser is arguably the most memorable character in The Super Mario Bros. Movie thanks to Jack Black’s terrific vocal performance. Unlike Chris Pratt’s casting as Mario, which invited fairly widespread scorn, Black’s casting was largely praised, and it paid off. Not only does Black provide a lot of laughs (particularly with fan favorite song “Peaches”), he still manages to be intimidating, as seen in his takedown of the penguins in the cold open. There are small hints at a tender side to the villainous chelonian creature, such as his desire for love and affection from Peach, that could lay the groundwork for a more human portrayal in upcoming projects.
The movie’s take on Bowser has proven so popular with audiences that talks of his cinematic future have already begun. Even Jack Black himself has chimed in on what he would like to see from future movies, including a “Bowser’s Revenge” sequel and a spinoff he calls “Bowser Town.” While The Super Mario Bros. Movie‘s massive success all but guarantees sequels, it’s far too early to tell what direction Universal will go in, but Nintendo’s vast library has plenty of material to pull from. One of the more interesting possibilities comes from an acclaimed handheld game.
There Is Already Source Material For A Bowser Movie
Released in 2009 for the DS, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story is an RPG in which the brothers are forced to team up with Bowser to save the Mushroom Kingdom from mutual enemy Fawful. Although that might not seem like a ripe premise for a Bowser movie, as Mario and Luigi still play major roles, the game makes Bowser a playable character and there are long stretches where he is effectively the protagonist. Inside Story puts Bowser front-and-center in a way that he had never been before, giving the game a unique feel that sets it apart from the rest of the franchise.
The Super Mario Bros. pulled elements from numerous games without being a straight adaptation of them, so a direct translation of Inside Story is probably not in the cards, but using the source material as a jumping-off point is certainly fair game. Mario has many enemies who are memorable and could make for fun characters onscreen, but Bowser is the gold standard, and the new movie only underscores that further. For fans who loved Bowser as both a villain and a comedic presence, a spinoff would be a welcome addition to Universal’s fledgling Nintendo cinematic universe.
