Nintendo released a short teaser for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and yes, those tiny plants are definitely Pikmin. The clip offers a quick close up of a small group of them, which is notable because Pikmin and Mario have mostly kept their distance until now.
What the teaser shows
The teaser is short and mostly showcases the film's characters against the familiar dreamlike space scenery from Super Mario Galaxy. Tucked into that glittery backdrop is a trio of Pikmin. It is a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but clear enough to make fans sit up.
Why this matters
- Rare crossover: Pikmin have only appeared in Mario games as easter eggs or unlockables before. This is the first time they look like they might share meaningful screen time with Mario.
- Setting hints: Since the movie leans into the outer space visuals from the Galaxy games, the teaser raises the possibility that the story could visit a Pikmin planet or at least include Pikmin environments.
Cast and crew highlights
The film brings together a big voice cast, including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Kevin Michael Richardson, Luis Guzman, Issa Rae, Donald Glover, and Brie Larson. The screenplay is by Matthew Fogel, and Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic return as directors.
Personal reaction
I am the sort of person who cries at cute things, so seeing little, earnest Pikmin in a Galactic setting is already stirring feelings. The first movie made me emotional any time Lumalee showed up, so I am not pretending to be stoic about this one.
When it lands
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is set to open in theaters on April 1. Fans who like small plant warriors and big-name voice casts should keep an eye out for previews and longer trailers between now and then.
