Nintendo’s cinematic success with The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) may have opened the floodgates, but the gaming giant is already setting its sights far beyond the Mushroom Kingdom. And while Chris Pratt is still set to reprise his role in the 2026 sequel, a new report suggests the actor may not be involved in what comes next.
From Mario to Metroid
A bombshell update from multiple insiders, including MyTimeToShineHello, reveals that Universal is now trying to secure the rights to develop a Metroid movie. Unlike Mario, Metroid isn’t filled with rainbow roads and slapstick humor. It’s a darker, more atmospheric sci-fi saga centered around Samus Aran, a galactic bounty hunter battling space pirates.
If the report is accurate, this would mark a major tonal departure—and potentially a clean break from the cast that carried Mario to box office glory. Chris Pratt, while synonymous with Mario now, has little place in a serious, live-action-style Metroid story.
A Universe in the Making?
Nintendo’s long-term strategy seems to be leaning toward the creation of a broader cinematic universe, possibly similar to the MCU. With multiple studios involved—Universal for Mario and Sony for Zelda—the logistics might be messy, but the ambition is clear.
Some believe this is all leading toward a Super Smash Bros. movie, though with different studios owning different pieces of the puzzle, how Nintendo pulls that off remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the days of centering everything around Chris Pratt’s Mario could be numbered.
Not a Goodbye—Yet
Pratt will return one more time for the Super Mario Bros. sequel. That much we know. But after that? Nintendo appears ready to diversify, tapping into franchises like Donkey Kong, Kirby, Fire Emblem, and more.
This isn’t a rejection of Pratt—it’s a recognition that the brand has outgrown the need for a single star. With or without him, Nintendo’s cinematic push is gaining momentum. And if these plans stay on track, the next time you hear from Nintendo on the big screen, it may be someone entirely new behind the mic.
