Keegan-Michael Key, who voices Toad in Illumination and Nintendo’s film adaptations of the Mario franchise, has said in a recent interview that the studio partners are aiming for a 2029 release window for a third Super Mario Bros.
Movie.
Key’s comments align with earlier remarks from Bowser actor Jack Black, who has also referenced a similar timeframe when discussing future Mario films.
Background and context
The Super Mario Bros.
Movie, produced by Illumination in collaboration with Nintendo, premiered in April 2023 and became a major box-office success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide and joining the ranks of the highest-grossing animated films.
The movie featured a high-profile voice cast that included Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Jack Black as Bowser and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad.
What Key said—rewritten for clarity
Key emphasized the creative team’s focus on quality, saying that the filmmakers and studio want to "get everything and all the details right," and praised the directors Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath for their passion for the project.
He added that the team prefers a clear timeline and believes a planned 2029 window is preferable to an unspecified release date, promising that the extra development time will make the final film "worth the wait."
Industry implications and verified facts
- The 2023 Super Mario Bros.
Movie is an official collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination, and its commercial success has made a follow-up a high priority for fans and industry observers.
- The film’s voice cast and the creative team are publicly credited and were widely reported at the time of the first film’s launch.
- Nintendo’s Mario franchise remains the company’s flagship IP across hardware platforms, including Nintendo Switch, where flagship titles like Super Mario Odyssey (2017) and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) continue to sell and receive attention via Nintendo Direct presentations and the Nintendo eShop digital storefront.
Why the 2029 window matters
A stated target year gives studios and partners room for a full production cycle—story development, animation, marketing and cross-promotional work with Nintendo’s games and events.
For Nintendo, coordinated release windows can align with game launches, Switch marketing pushes, and Nintendo Direct schedules to maximize visibility.
What we can confirm
Keegan-Michael Key’s comments are on the record as reporting that the studio partners are "looking to" a 2029 release window; this reflects statements from cast members rather than an official release announcement from Nintendo or Illumination.
Jack Black has made similar, public comments referencing a future release window for new Mario films.
Other production details, exact dates, and formal studio announcements remain subject to confirmation from Nintendo and Illumination.
For fans tracking the Mario franchise, the combination of a successful 2023 film, a committed voice cast, and public remarks from key talent suggests the studios are actively planning future entries.
Official release dates and production updates should be expected through formal Nintendo or Illumination channels and major outlets such as Nintendo Direct when announced.
Movie.
Key’s comments align with earlier remarks from Bowser actor Jack Black, who has also referenced a similar timeframe when discussing future Mario films.
Background and context
The Super Mario Bros.
Movie, produced by Illumination in collaboration with Nintendo, premiered in April 2023 and became a major box-office success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide and joining the ranks of the highest-grossing animated films.
The movie featured a high-profile voice cast that included Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Jack Black as Bowser and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad.
What Key said—rewritten for clarity
Key emphasized the creative team’s focus on quality, saying that the filmmakers and studio want to "get everything and all the details right," and praised the directors Michael Jelenic and Aaron Horvath for their passion for the project.
He added that the team prefers a clear timeline and believes a planned 2029 window is preferable to an unspecified release date, promising that the extra development time will make the final film "worth the wait."
Industry implications and verified facts
- The 2023 Super Mario Bros.
Movie is an official collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination, and its commercial success has made a follow-up a high priority for fans and industry observers.
- The film’s voice cast and the creative team are publicly credited and were widely reported at the time of the first film’s launch.
- Nintendo’s Mario franchise remains the company’s flagship IP across hardware platforms, including Nintendo Switch, where flagship titles like Super Mario Odyssey (2017) and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) continue to sell and receive attention via Nintendo Direct presentations and the Nintendo eShop digital storefront.
Why the 2029 window matters
A stated target year gives studios and partners room for a full production cycle—story development, animation, marketing and cross-promotional work with Nintendo’s games and events.
For Nintendo, coordinated release windows can align with game launches, Switch marketing pushes, and Nintendo Direct schedules to maximize visibility.
What we can confirm
Keegan-Michael Key’s comments are on the record as reporting that the studio partners are "looking to" a 2029 release window; this reflects statements from cast members rather than an official release announcement from Nintendo or Illumination.
Jack Black has made similar, public comments referencing a future release window for new Mario films.
Other production details, exact dates, and formal studio announcements remain subject to confirmation from Nintendo and Illumination.
For fans tracking the Mario franchise, the combination of a successful 2023 film, a committed voice cast, and public remarks from key talent suggests the studios are actively planning future entries.
Official release dates and production updates should be expected through formal Nintendo or Illumination channels and major outlets such as Nintendo Direct when announced.
