Mario Teaches Typing mascot stars in new movie trailer

With cult classics like Mario’s Time Machine, Mario Teaches Typing, Mario is Missing, and the id Software bootleg port of Super Mario 3, it was only natural that PC Gamer cover the cinematic revival of Super Mario. The plucky plumber with a heart of gold starred in a new trailer for his upcoming animated movie, simul-cast to the NYC Comic Con and YouTube.

Series creator Shigeru Miyamoto showed up first to introduce the project and thank the fans of Mario’s three official PC appearances. The developer then ceded the floor to producer Chris Meledandri, who asserted that the cast and crew consisted of Mario “fanatics,” some kind of praetorian guard or sardaukar legion for the cult gaming figure.

The stream then shifted to Chris Pratt, who stated it was a “lifelong dream” to voice Mario. Pratt then handed the mic to Jack Black, who will play the film’s antagonist, Bowser. Bowser doesn’t directly appear in Mario Teaches Typing (just his castle), but he is in Mario’s Time Machine and Mario is Missing. Bowser also figures prominently in the Mario series’ semi-canonical console spinoffs. Black seems to have heavily invested himself into the role, drawing on the Method school of acting.