Super Mario Bros. Movie Concept Art Reveals Early Vision of Princess Daisy and Unused Scenes

As the gaming world eagerly anticipates the arrival of the next Super Mario Bros.

Movie—officially confirmed by Nintendo for a 2026 release—fans continue to delve into the creative journey behind the original blockbuster.

Debuting in 2023, the Super Mario Bros.

Movie was a collaborative effort between Illumination and Nintendo, captivating audiences globally and signaling a successful expansion of Nintendo’s intellectual properties beyond video games and the Nintendo Switch platform. Recently, story developer and artist Jed Diffenderfer, who contributed to the Super Mario Bros.

Movie, has unveiled a new set of concept art on his official website.

These images provide a unique behind-the-scenes look at how certain favorite moments developed and highlight ideas that ultimately didn’t appear in the finished film. The batch includes eight evocative pieces of concept art.

Some showcase scenes that became core cinematic moments, such as Mario’s first bewildering journey through a warp pipe and Bowser’s assertive conquest over the Penguin King.

However, the most intriguing reveals center on characters and settings that never made it to the big screen.

Among these is the fan-favorite Princess Daisy, who is shown in two separate illustrations.

In these concepts, Daisy appears in what the art suggests is a high school flashback sequence and in a dramatic, large-scale battle reminiscent of contemporary superhero epics. Additionally, the artwork gives fans a rare glimpse at other recognizable Mushroom Kingdom residents who did not appear in the final cut, including Toadette, a blue flying Yoshi, and what appears to be Toadsworth.

These inclusions highlight the expansive creative brainstorming that took place during the movie’s development. While Daisy’s appearance in early sketches does not confirm that the character was officially considered or cut from the 2023 film, Jed Diffenderfer’s artwork underscores the breadth of Nintendo and Illumination's vision for the Mushroom Kingdom on film.

As is common in animation and game development, concept art often explores a wide range of possibilities for story and character direction. Reflecting on this behind-the-scenes artwork, it’s clear that the world of Super Mario Bros.—both in games and on the silver screen—is shaped by an abundance of creative ideas.

With concept artists like Diffenderfer contributing their talents, fans are offered rare insights into the creative process.

For more of Diffenderfer’s creative work, including concept videos of scenes that did not make the film, fans are encouraged to visit his official website. As Nintendo and Illumination prepare for the next chapter in the Super Mario cinematic universe, this glimpse behind the curtain serves as a testament to the passion and ingenuity fueling the legacy of the Super Mario Bros.

Movie.

Nintendo Mario Super Mario Bros. Movie Super Mario Super Mario Bros Princess Daisy Jed Diffenderfer Illumination Daisy Mario Bros