Why Didn’t Disney Make the Mario Movie? Exploring the Tale of Illumination’s Triumph
The global success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie has left many wondering why the entertainment behemoth, Disney, didn’t helm the project. The short answer is simple: Disney was never really in the running. The relationship between Nintendo and Illumination Entertainment was the deciding factor, stemming from a meeting of minds between Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario, and Chris Meledandri, the CEO of Illumination. This alliance, born out of shared creative vision and collaboration, ultimately led to Illumination taking on the mantle of bringing Mario to the big screen. This article delves into the nuances behind this decision and addresses related frequently asked questions.
The Miyamoto-Meledandri Connection
The genesis of The Super Mario Bros. Movie wasn’t in the hallowed halls of Disney, but through a unique synergy. Miyamoto’s collaboration with Universal on Super Nintendo World at their theme parks facilitated a meeting with Meledandri. This encounter proved to be pivotal. The two shared a vision for how to adapt the beloved video game franchise into a compelling cinematic experience. Miyamoto, known for his meticulous nature and dedication to maintaining the integrity of his creations, clearly saw something special in Illumination’s approach. Meledandri’s studio, celebrated for its character-driven comedies like Despicable Me and Minions, offered a style and sensibility that Miyamoto felt aligned with the essence of Mario.
A Different Approach to Animation
Disney, while undoubtedly a titan in animation, typically operates with a distinct style, often leaning toward musical narratives and fairy-tale-esque storylines. Illumination, on the other hand, tends to focus more on visual humor and dynamic action, with a clear emphasis on relatable characters. This different approach suited Miyamoto’s vision for a Mario movie that would be fun, fast-paced, and faithful to the games’ spirit.
Disney’s Lack of Initial Interest
Furthermore, the article indicates that Disney would not have been interested in such a venture. This could be due to a variety of factors. Disney’s current animation focus might have been on other projects, or they simply did not see the same potential in the Mario universe as Illumination did. This doesn’t reflect poorly on Disney, but rather highlights the different strategic approaches and creative goals of the studios involved.
The Universal Partnership
Illumination is a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, which plays a crucial role in the film’s distribution and success. This connection also means that Peacock, Universal’s streaming service, secured exclusive streaming rights initially, before Netflix picked up the film later on. This entire setup highlights the close collaboration between Universal, Illumination, and Nintendo in this project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Disney ever own the rights to make a Mario movie?
No. Nintendo has always held the rights to the Mario franchise. While Buena Vista Pictures, a Disney subsidiary, did distribute the 1993 live-action Super Mario Bros. film, the rights were never owned by Disney.
2. Is Nintendo owned by Disney?
Absolutely not. Nintendo is a Japanese company completely independent of Disney. While they both are powerful entertainment brands, they operate completely separately with no affiliation.
3. What role did Nintendo play in making The Super Mario Bros. Movie?
Nintendo played a crucial role as a producer, closely working with Illumination to ensure the movie stayed true to the essence of the Mario games. Miyamoto himself was heavily involved, providing guidance and creative oversight.
4. Will there be a Super Mario Bros. Movie 2?
A sequel is heavily anticipated, with a potential release around 2026 or 2027, following Illumination’s typical turnaround times for sequels, provided that the film gets greenlit.
5. Who is Luigi’s girlfriend?
Princess Daisy is the princess of Sarasaland and is known to be Luigi’s girlfriend.
6. How old is Bowser?
In a promotional event, Nintendo officially indicated Bowser’s birthdate to be February 5, 1989, making him approximately 34 years old.
7. What kind of animal is Bowser?
Bowser is known as the King of the Koopas, and he is a large, anthropomorphic turtle.
8. How did Disney respond to The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s success?
Disney CEO Bob Iger publicly congratulated Universal on the film’s tremendous success, demonstrating that while they are competitors, they can still respect each other’s achievements.
9. Who owns the rights to the Mario movie?
The Super Mario Bros. Movie was produced by Universal Pictures, Illumination, and Nintendo, and distributed by Universal.
10. Did Nintendo ever partner with Disney in the past?
Yes, in 1958, Nintendo had a deal with Disney to use Disney characters on Nintendo’s playing cards.
11. Why was The Super Mario Bros. Movie so successful?
A combination of factors contributed to the film’s success, including the generous budget, star-studded cast, and strong online fan enthusiasm.
12. Is the Mario movie available on Peacock?
Yes, the movie initially premiered exclusively on Peacock, Universal’s streaming service, before moving to Netflix.
13. When did The Super Mario Bros. Movie debut on Netflix?
The Super Mario Bros. Movie debuted on Netflix on December 3.
14. Is Bowser Jr. a girl?
No, Bowser Jr. is the son of Bowser and is a male character.
15. Who is Mario’s ex-girlfriend?
Pauline is a major character and serves as the mayor of New Donk City. She is known as Mario’s former girlfriend, as Princess Peach is now his girlfriend.
Conclusion
The decision of why Disney didn’t make the Mario movie comes down to a perfect storm of creative synergy and strategic alignment between Nintendo and Illumination Entertainment. While Disney certainly has the capability to tackle such a project, the unique vision of Miyamoto and the collaborative spirit of Illumination, supported by the distribution prowess of Universal, proved to be the winning formula. The Super Mario Bros. Movie stands as a testament to the power of matching the right talent and approach to a beloved franchise, leaving Disney on the sidelines this time around.