⚠️ SPOILER WARNING ⚠️
If you have not seen The Super Mario Galaxy Movie yet, I strongly recommend watching it first and then coming back to this post. The movie is now available on Amazon for streaming, and I recently rented it. It was absolutely worth it.
I’ll avoid spoiling everything, but there will be some spoilers discussed below regarding the ending and post-credits scene.
First off, holy shit… this movie was really good.
As a Nintendo fan, I genuinely think you’ll love it. It captures that sense of adventure, wonder, and fun that makes Mario games so memorable. The visuals were incredible, the characters were handled well, and overall it was just an enjoyable experience from start to finish.
But that’s not actually the main point of this post.
I want to talk about a theory and wishlist for what I hope a potential third Mario movie could be about.
Because let’s be honest… after that post-credits scene, it feels very likely that Nintendo and Illumination are setting up another installment.
🚨 Spoiler Section Begins Here 🚨
You’ve been warned.
One of the more interesting elements near the end of the movie is when Bowser Jr. loses control of the paintbrush ink dragon, and it turns against him. Mario ultimately saves Bowser Jr. from the ink dragon, which was a really interesting character moment.
However, one mystery still remains:
What exactly is the deal with the strange dark ink that Bowser Jr. is using?
The movie doesn’t fully explain it.
I think that mystery could become extremely important if a third movie happens.
At the end of the post-credits scene, we see Bowser and Bowser Jr. trying to escape, which immediately got me thinking:
What if the third Mario movie adapts Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story?
Honestly, I think this could work incredibly well.
I would love to see a movie that still features Mario, Luigi, Peach, and the rest of the gang, but shifts more focus onto Bowser himself and his relationship with Bowser Jr.
Now, some people might ask:
“But what about Dark Bowser?”
This is where my theory comes in.
What if the mysterious dark ink from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie becomes the movie’s version of Dark Bowser?
Imagine this:
Bowser Jr., experimenting with the dark ink, accidentally creates an ink version of Bowser. Initially, he thinks he can control it.
But then it goes rogue.
It begins absorbing power, becoming stronger and stronger until it evolves into a terrifying threat that endangers everyone.
At that point, it would be up to Bowser himself to stop this dark version of himself and save the Mushroom Kingdom alongside Mario and the others.
Honestly?
That would be epic.
Will this actually happen?
I have absolutely no idea.
Nintendo and Illumination could decide not to adapt Bowser’s Inside Story at all.
But if they choose to adapt any Mario RPG storyline for the third movie, I think Bowser’s Inside Story makes the most sense.
Now, full disclosure:
I’ve actually never played Bowser’s Inside Story.
I know the basic plot and understand why so many fans love it. The final battle especially looks really cool. But personally, the game never appealed to me as much as some other Mario RPGs.
My favorite Mario game is actually Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.
Unfortunately, I highly doubt that game would be adapted into the third Mario movie.
Would it be awesome?
Absolutely.
But here’s something interesting:
The second Mario movie introduced space and cosmic adventures through the Galaxy setting.
And what Mario RPG game involves space travel that isn’t one of the Galaxy games?
Partners in Time.
So while I don’t think it’s likely, maybe it’s not completely impossible either.
Still, if I had to guess, I think Bowser’s Inside Story has a much better chance of being adapted due to its popularity and because Bowser himself would make for an excellent central character.
Whatever Nintendo decides to do next, one thing is certain:
If the third Mario movie builds upon the emotional moments, character development, and sense of adventure established in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, I will absolutely be there opening weekend.
And if we get to see Bowser reluctantly becoming the hero to stop an out-of-control Dark Ink Bowser?
Sign me up.
