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Illumination’s ‘Super Mario’ Movie Reveals This Emmy-Nominated Actor as Princess Peach

Illumination’s ‘Super Mario’ movie received a release date and unveiled its main cast. An Emmy-nominated actor was announced to play Princess Peach during the September Nintendo Direct by Shigeru Miyamoto, who is excited to see her “spirited” take on the sporty royal. The cast boasts some huge star power to accompany her.
by Andrew Addessi
Published on
2 min read

September 2021’s Nintendo Direct dropped a lot of massive information. However, one of the most shocking segments came from Shigeru Miyamoto. Mentioning Illumination’s Super Mario movie, titled Super Mario Bros.: The Movie, the cast included some shocking names, including an Emmy-nominated actor Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach.

Anya Taylor-Joy cast as Princess Peach in Illumination's 'Super Mario' movie
Anya Taylor-Joy | Rich Fury/Getty Images

Shigeru Miyamoto announced the ‘Super Mario’ movie cast during a Nintendo Direct

Details on the Super Mario movie have been scarce. Movie posters including Mario and Luigi with their catchphrase and a bit of leaked info regarding comedian Sebastian Maniscalco’s role in the film remain all fans had.

Until the September Nintendo Direct.

The Direct seemed standard; DLC and pre-orders received announcements. Suddenly, before moving on to the following game announcement, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto stepped in.

Announcing the release date for the movie in the US (December 21, 2022), he then mentioned the actors set to star.

And the cast is shockingly stacked with massive names.

As if Guardians of the Galaxy’s Chris Pratt as Mario failed to shock viewers enough, his following announcement for Princess Peach certainly would.

Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach in the ‘Super Mario’ Movie

Miyamoto excitedly announced that the sporty, royal princess in pink found her actor.

While fresh off of headlines for her Emmy Nomination on Sunday, September 19 for her role as Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit, Anya Taylor-Joy’s name appeared next to the princess’ crown.

Aiming for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, Joy went against tough competition.

WandaVision’s Elizabeth Olsen, Genius’ Cynthia Erivo, and I May Destroy You’s Michaela Coel all competed. However, Mare of Easttown’s Kate Winslet ultimately won the award.

Then, as Joy’s picture appeared in the Nintendo Direct, Miyamoto expressed his excitement at Joy’s casting.

“I can’t wait to see a very spirited Princess Peach!” he said.

And the Emmy-nominated actor joins plenty of other talented names in the Super Mario movie cast.

The Illumination movie has an all-star cast

It seems reasonable that Nintendo would want only the top talents working on the Super Mario movie. Ever since the disaster that was Super Mario Bros. in 1993 starring Bob Hoskins, Nintendo has remained hesitant toward film.

Adding an award-nominated actor to the mix helps to legitimize the project. Joy’s performance as the fan-loved princess is sure to excite fans as much as it does Miyamoto.

Including actors like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Charlie Day, Key & Peele‘s Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, and Jack Black, the film suddenly has a lot of star power behind it.

Related

When is the September Nintendo Direct? Where to Watch and What to Expect

It feels appropriate for Mario.

While fans were tentative of the film, this news has excited many. The creators of Despicable Me did not seem like the best fit — the only Minion in the Mario series belong to Bowser or under Mario’s stomp.

However, with Nintendo working so closely and the massive talent, fans feel a bit more optimistic.

Joy will appear as Princess Peach in Illumination’s Super Mario Bros.: The Movie in December 2022.

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