Keegan-Michael Key has indicated that the next Super Mario movie could arrive in 2029, telling ScreenRant the production team plans to take time to "get it right." The comment comes after Nintendo and Illumination's successful collaboration on cinematic adaptations of the Mario franchise, which began with The Super Mario Bros.
Movie in 2023.
Background and box-office performance
The Super Mario Bros.
Movie, produced by Illumination in partnership with Nintendo, premiered in 2023 and became a major commercial success, grossing more than $1 billion worldwide.
The project reunited Nintendo IP with a major Hollywood animation studio and established a strong precedent for future film work based on Nintendo properties.
Keegan-Michael Key is credited as the voice of Toad in the film, and the movie was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
What Key said — rewritten for clarity
In an interview with ScreenRant, Key explained that the creative team is committed to delivering a high-quality follow-up and indicated a multi-year gap before the next release.
Paraphrasing his remarks: Key said the filmmakers are focused on getting every detail right and that the directors share the audience's passion for the material.
He suggested a three-year development window and proposed 2029 as a more concrete target rather than an indefinite timeline.
Context for the timeline
A three-year interval between films would not be unusual for large animated features that require extended development and production.
Illumination and Nintendo's initial collaboration produced a blockbuster theatrical release; the companies have signaled continued interest in adapting Nintendo IP for broader media, while Nintendo continues to support its gaming ecosystem across Nintendo Switch hardware and promotional outlets such as Nintendo Direct and the eShop.
What is verified
- The Super Mario Bros.
Movie released in 2023 and earned over $1 billion worldwide. - Keegan-Michael Key is credited as the voice of Toad. - Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic directed the 2023 film. - Key made the comments during an interview with ScreenRant in which he emphasized taking time to "get it right" and referenced a three-year wait, suggesting 2029 as a target year.
As Nintendo and Illumination continue their partnership, industry observers and fans will watch for official announcements from the studios or Nintendo — typically released through press statements, distributor updates, or major events like Nintendo Direct — to confirm production timelines and release dates for future Mario films.
Movie in 2023.
Background and box-office performance
The Super Mario Bros.
Movie, produced by Illumination in partnership with Nintendo, premiered in 2023 and became a major commercial success, grossing more than $1 billion worldwide.
The project reunited Nintendo IP with a major Hollywood animation studio and established a strong precedent for future film work based on Nintendo properties.
Keegan-Michael Key is credited as the voice of Toad in the film, and the movie was directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.
What Key said — rewritten for clarity
In an interview with ScreenRant, Key explained that the creative team is committed to delivering a high-quality follow-up and indicated a multi-year gap before the next release.
Paraphrasing his remarks: Key said the filmmakers are focused on getting every detail right and that the directors share the audience's passion for the material.
He suggested a three-year development window and proposed 2029 as a more concrete target rather than an indefinite timeline.
Context for the timeline
A three-year interval between films would not be unusual for large animated features that require extended development and production.
Illumination and Nintendo's initial collaboration produced a blockbuster theatrical release; the companies have signaled continued interest in adapting Nintendo IP for broader media, while Nintendo continues to support its gaming ecosystem across Nintendo Switch hardware and promotional outlets such as Nintendo Direct and the eShop.
What is verified
- The Super Mario Bros.
Movie released in 2023 and earned over $1 billion worldwide. - Keegan-Michael Key is credited as the voice of Toad. - Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic directed the 2023 film. - Key made the comments during an interview with ScreenRant in which he emphasized taking time to "get it right" and referenced a three-year wait, suggesting 2029 as a target year.
As Nintendo and Illumination continue their partnership, industry observers and fans will watch for official announcements from the studios or Nintendo — typically released through press statements, distributor updates, or major events like Nintendo Direct — to confirm production timelines and release dates for future Mario films.
