Glen Powell Lends His Voice to Fox McCloud in “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”
The rumour mill has been churning, and now the mystery is officially solved. Golden Globe-nominated actor Glen Powell has confirmed his involvement in the highly anticipated “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” stepping into the iconic role of Fox McCloud. The “Top Gun: Maverick” star revealed the exciting casting news via an Instagram post on March 27th, a day after Nintendo sent ripples of excitement through the gaming community with the unveiling of a film poster featuring the beloved canine hero.
Powell’s announcement was delivered with his signature playful flair. He shared a video of himself prancing through an empty cinema, channeling a distinctly Mario-esque energy as the classic video game theme music swelled in the background. The reveal came as Powell turned his back to the camera, showcasing a jacket emblazoned with the unmistakable Fox McCloud logo. His caption, “Born to Barrel Roll,” was a cheeky nod to the signature aerial manoeuvre synonymous with the “Star Fox” game series.
Fox McCloud, a seasoned pilot with a penchant for galactic adventure, is no stranger to crossing paths with the Mario universe. He has previously made notable appearances in the “Super Smash Bros.” franchise, the long-running fighting game series that masterfully brings together a diverse cast of characters from across Nintendo’s expansive gaming library. From the Mushroom Kingdom’s finest to the pilots of the Star Fox team and the heroes of Hyrule, “Smash Bros.” has long been a playground for inter-franchise collisions.
“The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” is set to feature the return of familiar faces, with Chris Pratt reprising his role as the titular Mario, Charlie Day as his brother Luigi, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach. The film also boasts a lineup of exciting new additions, including Benny Safdie lending his voice to Bowser Jr., the mischievous son of the Koopa King, and Brie Larson taking on the regal role of Princess Rosalina. Even R.O.B., the beloved toy robot accessory that found its way into the “Smash Bros.” arena, is slated to make an appearance. The cinematic adventure is scheduled to land in cinemas on April 1st.
Expanding the Nintendo Cinematic Universe
The inclusion of Fox McCloud is a significant development, particularly because he originates from a game series separate from the core “Mario” universe. McCloud has been the star of his own franchise since the 1993 Super Nintendo classic, “Star Fox.” This strategic casting choice hints at a broader ambition for Nintendo’s cinematic endeavours. It suggests that future “Mario” films, and indeed the wider Nintendo cinematic universe, could potentially draw from a much larger pool of characters from across the company’s storied history, rather than being confined solely to the “Mario” games.
The fact that Nintendo chose to announce McCloud’s involvement prior to the release of “Mario Galaxy” has also fuelled speculation among fans. It begs the question: are there further surprise cameos waiting in the wings? Nintendo and Universal have already demonstrated a remarkable ability to keep significant casting secrets under wraps, as evidenced by the late reveal of Donald Glover voicing Yoshi in the previous “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” which was only confirmed weeks before its debut.
Recent hints have also pointed towards the potential inclusion of the Pikmin from the “Pikmin” games, another popular Nintendo franchise that exists outside the direct “Mario” canon. Like Fox McCloud, the Pikmin have also made their mark in the “Super Smash Bros.” series, further solidifying the interconnectedness of these beloved Nintendo worlds.
The Road to a “Super Smash Bros.” Film?
With the introduction of Fox McCloud into the “Mario” cinematic tapestry, has Nintendo just taken its initial steps towards a potential “Super Smash Bros.” movie? Ever since the first “Super Mario Bros. Movie” achieved blockbuster success in 2023, fans have ardently suggested that a film adaptation of “Super Smash Bros.” could serve as Nintendo’s answer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Avengers” crossover events. Such a film would unlock the potential to feature a pantheon of fan-favourite characters, from the adorable Kirby to the high-octane Captain Falcon and the legendary Link from “The Legend of Zelda.”
While Nintendo has yet to officially announce any concrete plans for a “Smash Bros.” movie, the company is actively developing other significant film projects. A live-action film based on “The Legend of Zelda,” another of Nintendo’s flagship franchises, is currently in the works and is slated for a 2027 release. This “Zelda” film will diverge from the animated approach of “Mario,” opting for a live-action format with Benjamin Evan Ainsworth set to portray Link and Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda. The expanding slate of Nintendo films signals a bold new era for the iconic gaming company on the silver screen.
