Donald Glover Cast as Yoshi in 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie'
Nintendo confirmed the casting in its final trailer for the highly anticipated animated sequel.
Summary
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Nintendo and Illumination have officially revealed the final trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, confirming that multi-hyphenate star Donald Glover will voice the fan-favorite dinosaur, Yoshi
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The star-studded cast is expanding with the exciting additions of Luis Guzmán as the classic villain Wart and Issa Rae as the Honey Queen, joining previously announced newcomers like Brie Larson and Benny Safdie
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Directed by returning filmmakers Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the cosmic, interplanetary adventure is slated to hit theaters worldwide on April 1, 2026
Nintendo is officially taking the Mushroom Kingdom to the stars—and bringing some serious Hollywood firepower along for the ride. During a special movie-focused Nintendo Direct presentation on Monday, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri debuted the final trailer for the highly anticipated The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Amidst the stunning galactic visuals and gravity-defying platforming, the biggest surprise of the broadcast was the official confirmation that Donald Glover has been cast to bring Mario’s iconic, egg-laying dinosaur companion, Yoshi, to life on the big screen.
The upcoming animated film, which serves as a direct sequel to the billion-dollar 2023 hit The Super Mario Bros. Movie, promises a massive expansion of the franchise’s cinematic universe. Picking up after Bowser’s initial defeat, the story kicks into high gear when Bowser Jr. orchestrates a cosmic attack on the Mushroom Kingdom to free his captive father. Ripping Princess Peach’s castle straight from the ground, the conflict launches Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad on a sprawling interplanetary rescue mission through bizarre new galaxies, volcanic worlds, underwater planets, and neon-lit environments.
Joining the returning ensemble—which features Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), and Keegan-Michael Key (Toad)—is a wildly stacked lineup of fresh voices. Alongside Donald Glover’s Yoshi, the sequel introduces Academy Award-winner Brie Larson as the cosmic caretaker Princess Rosalina, and Benny Safdie as the chaotic Bowser Jr. The final trailer also gave fans a first look at some classic franchise foes, confirming Luis Guzmán as the voice of the Super Mario Bros. 2 antagonist Wart, and Issa Rae as the ruler of the Honeyhive Galaxy, Honey Queen.
With a rapidly expanding cast of A-list talent and a vibrant, gravity-defying new setting that draws direct inspiration from the critically acclaimed Super Mario Galaxy games, the sequel is shaping up to be one of the biggest blockbuster events of the year. Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the Mushroom Kingdom crew blast off when the film arrives in theaters on April 1, 2026.
