The final trailer dropped this week for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and with it came a cast announcement that surprised plenty of Nintendo devotees. On March 9, 2026, with the release of the final trailer, it was revealed that Donald Glover, Issa Rae, and Luis Guzmán had joined the cast, with Glover voicing Yoshi.
For those who caught the original Mario film two years ago, the addition of Glover as the voice of Yoshi represents something of a shift. The long-tongued dinosaur has always been a minimal talker, mostly content to blurt out his own name. But we hear Glover's relieved "Phew" when the trio achieve a soft landing after Bowser Jr.'s attack sends them tumbling to the vegetation-covered floor of the Mushroom Kingdom. It appears the character will have considerably more dialogue this time around.
The rest of the ensemble looks familiar and formidable. Chris Pratt returns to voice Mario, who's heading to space in the sequel to 2023's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie." Returning cast members include Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad and Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek. New entries to the voice cast include Luis Guzman as Wart and Issa Rae as Honey Queen.
One detail that merited explicit mention from the filmmakers this week: in the film, Mario, Luigi and their new friend, Yoshi, join Princess Peach and Toad on an adventure into outer space where they meet Princess Rosalina and face off against Bowser and his son, Bowser Jr. Luigi's inclusion throughout the sequel stands in marked contrast to his diminished role in the previous film, where the character spent much of it confined to a cage. The filmmakers seem acutely aware this was a point of contention among fans.
The Galaxy entry will draw from the Super Mario Galaxy games, though it would additionally include "surprises for fans of every Mario era" according to producer Chris Meledandri. The 2023 film became a blockbuster phenomenon, earning massive numbers at the box office, so the pressure to deliver something fresh yet faithful is considerable. A story hinting at Fox McCloud from the Star Fox franchise making an appearance has circulated online, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie premieres on April 1. Those who missed the first film will find it available across streaming platforms, while new viewers can catch both films in cinemas and at home as this latest Nintendo-Illumination partnership prepares for launch.