Nintendo’s first big leap into the movie world paid off in a massive way, thanks in no small part to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). The animated hit raked in over $1.3 billion worldwide and put Chris Pratt’s take on the iconic plumber front and center. But with a sequel already in development and other properties gearing up for the spotlight, Pratt’s future in Nintendo’s movie universe is looking increasingly uncertain.
Credit: Universal
Nintendo Is Shifting Gears
According to recent reports, the gaming company is preparing for a major pivot. While The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 is expected to bring back Pratt and the rest of the voice cast, insiders suggest it may be the last time we hear him in that role.
Instead, Nintendo appears to be eyeing a broader slate of films that explore the rest of its deep bench of characters and stories. With a live-action Legend of Zelda movie already in the works at Sony, and rumors swirling around a Donkey Kong spin-off, the company seems ready to stop relying on one franchise—or one voice—to lead the charge.
Enter Metroid
A recent scoop from MyTimeToShineHello claims Universal is now trying to lock down the rights to a Metroid film. That’s a major development, considering Metroid is an entirely different beast compared to the upbeat, family-friendly vibe of Mario. With darker tones and a sci-fi focus, Metroid could push Nintendo’s movie brand in a more mature direction—and Chris Pratt doesn’t exactly fit the bill for that kind of role.
Samus Aran, the armored bounty hunter at the heart of Metroid, offers something completely new. If Universal gets this project off the ground, it could serve as a fresh foundation for Nintendo’s rumored “Mario Cinematic Universe”—a move that wouldn’t require Pratt at all.
Credit: Universal
Pratt’s Legacy
To be clear, this isn’t a story about failure. Chris Pratt helped launch Nintendo’s film ambitions with a record-breaking success. But like Iron Man in the MCU, there comes a time when the franchise must evolve. Pratt’s voice may have been the one that opened the door—but Nintendo seems ready to walk through it and explore new terrain.
The next era may not include him, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With franchises like Metroid, Zelda, and more waiting in the wings, the company is shifting from a single breakout hit to something much bigger.
And that might mean saying goodbye to Chris Pratt as the voice of Mario sooner than we expected.
