Wario Rumored to Appear as Co-Villain in Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Bowser Jr. may not be the only antagonist Mario and friends face in the upcoming animated film.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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According to a description from a U.K. theater chain, the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie will feature Wario as a co-villain alongside Bowser Jr. The film, a sequel to 2023's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is set to pit Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, and other familiar characters against an "evil alliance" between Wario and Bowser Jr. as they attempt to stop the duo's plans for "world domination." However, this detail has not been confirmed by the film's producers at Illumination and Nintendo.

Why it matters

The potential inclusion of Wario as a major antagonist in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie would be a surprise, as the character has not been featured in any of the film's marketing materials so far. Wario's appearance could signal a broader expansion of the Mario Cinematic Universe, drawing from a wider range of characters and storylines from the iconic video game franchise.

The details

According to a description from the U.K. theater chain Everyman, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie will see Mario and his friends facing off against both Bowser Jr. and Wario, who have formed an "evil alliance." This differs significantly from the more generic synopsis provided by other theater chains, which only mentions Bowser Jr. as the main antagonist. Nintendo and Illumination have not confirmed Wario's involvement in the film.

  • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is scheduled to premiere in theaters on April 1, 2026.

The players

Wario

A recurring antagonist in the Super Mario video game series, known for his greed, selfishness, and mischievous behavior.

Bowser Jr.

The son of the series' main villain, Bowser, who is rumored to be a co-antagonist in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

Mario

The iconic protagonist of the Super Mario franchise, who will be tasked with stopping the villainous plans of Wario and Bowser Jr. in the new film.

Illumination

The animation studio behind the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie, as well as the previous The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Nintendo

The Japanese video game company that owns the Super Mario intellectual property and is co-producing the new film.

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What’s next

If Wario's involvement in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie is confirmed, it could lead to speculation about the character's potential role in future Mario-related films or projects. Fans will likely be eager to see how Wario's dynamic with Bowser Jr. and the other characters plays out on the big screen.

The takeaway

The potential inclusion of Wario as a co-villain in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie suggests that Nintendo and Illumination may be looking to expand the Mario Cinematic Universe beyond the core cast of characters. This could signal a more diverse and unpredictable approach to adapting the beloved video game franchise for the big screen.