Even though one of the titular Mario brothers gets ignored in Illumination’s Super Mario Bros. Movie, the franchise already has the perfect opportunity to redeem its misstep. The movie adaptation of Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. franchise follows the titular brothers after accidentally falling into a green pipe that warps them to the Mushroom Kingdom, which Bowser threatens. Though Mario goes on an adventure to stop Bowser’s fury, Luigi gets separated from his brother, meaning Luigi is absent from much of the movie.
Since the Illumination/Nintendo movie has the word “bros.” in the title, it seems like a failure to sideline Luigi so heavily. However, given The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s impressive box office performance, the movie will likely get a follow-up, which could provide the opportunity to rectify the movie’s Luigi-centric wrongs. Luckily, Nintendo already has a perfect franchise for a Super Mario Bros. spinoff, which perfectly fits the first movie's trajectory and will help develop Luigi’s character to make him just as important as Mario.
The Super Mario Bros Movie Should Do A Luigi’s Mansion Spinoff
Although The Super Mario Bros. Movie largely follows Mario, its perfect spinoff should follow Luigi in Luigi’s Mansion. Doing a Luigi’s Mansion spinoff would not only be a great expansion for the series but also appears to have been teased in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. When Luigi first lands in the spooky woods after getting separated from Mario, a musical reference to Luigi’s Mansion theme can be heard. Though this could just be a fun reference to Luigi’s solo series and its spooky setting, the reference almost seems too perfect not to be on purpose.
Following through on the movie’s Luigi’s Mansion tease would not only be a great spinoff, but it would help Luigi’s character. Even though Luigi is alongside Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the green Mario brother gets sidelined while Mario goes on an adventure. After falling down a different green pipe, Luigi spends much of the Illumination movie waiting for Mario to rescue him, meaning Luigi doesn’t get much time to shine. This leaves Luigi feeling incredibly underdeveloped compared to other Super Mario Bros. characters by the movie's end, but this could be remedied by a Luigi’s Mansion spinoff following the titular character.
Why A Luigi’s Mansion Spinoff Is Perfect For The Super Mario Franchise
Doing a Luigi’s Mansion spinoff is perfect for the Super Mario Bros. franchise not only as a way to develop Luigi’s character in The Super Mario Bros. Movie but because of its video game parallels. Up until the release of Luigi’s Mansion in 2001, Luigi had always been Mario’s sidekick, but Luigi’s solo game is a fun twist on the Mario Bros. formula that casts Luigi as the hero who needs to rescue Mario. This premise perfectly aligns with Luigi’s storyline in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, making a Luigi’s Mansion adaptation not only great for Luigi’s character but a fitting next step for the franchise.
Another reason Luigi’s Mansion is the perfect next step for the Super Mario Bros. franchise is its potential to appeal to both movie and Nintendo fans. A struggle when it comes to adapting video games is pleasing fans while making it inviting to casual moviegoers, but the Luigi’s Mansion set-up in The Super Mario Bros. Movie makes this Luigi-centric story the perfect spinoff. Additionally, the Luigi’s Mansion series has a fervent fanbase of its own, meaning a movie based on it will likely be a success for Illumination and Nintendo. Of course, it’s not always possible to please everyone with movie adaptations, but a Luigi’s Mansion movie could come close.
