The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel will have some "deep cut" characters, so where are my Lubba heads at?

The Super Mario Bros. Movie
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

The Super Mario Bros. Movie will be getting even deeper into lore in its sequel, according to Toad actor Keegan-Michael Key. 

"One thing I can say about the second movie is that it's a little broader in scope, and where it takes place is very intriguing lore and the Mario world," the actor told Men’s Journal. "They're going to find some really fantastic Easter eggs and it's been very exciting so far."

Not only that, but the actor adds that new characters will be joining in the second outing too. He continued: "I feel like what they've done creatively is they've really widened out the universe that these characters live in and we're going to meet some new folks. We're going to meet some new folks that are old favorites and some folks that I think are really deep cuts, but because of the way the story's laying itself out right now, those characters are going to be very intriguing."

Now, we’re not sure how deep cut we’re talking, but our personal hope is that purple Luma Lubba might finally get his day in the sun after Super Mario Galaxy 2. Redditors have already been sharing their hopes for who else might make an appearance with Toadsworth, Tatanga, Koopalings, or Wart.

If the first movie is anything to go off, we’ll be expecting plenty of Super Mario Bros. Easter eggs in the sequel. It’s already got a release date too, and is due to hit screens in April 2026. Speaking to 12DOVE previously, Mario star Chris Pratt teased: "It gets me very excited thinking about the world of Mario and Nintendo in general, I think over the next decade we will be seeing lots of stories coming out of that world. I was thrilled, honored, and blessed to be part of the first one and moving forward I'm open to doing as much and as little as they want from me. I can't say much but I am just as excited as everyone else."

The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 will be released on April 3, 2026. For more upcoming movies, check out our guide to all the upcoming video game adaptations you need to know about.

Fay Watson
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I’m the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at 12DOVE, covering TV and film for the Total Film and SFX sections online. I previously worked as a Senior Showbiz Reporter and SEO TV reporter at Express Online for three years. I've also written for The Resident magazines and Amateur Photographer, before specializing in entertainment.

Read more
Donkey Kong in newly shared gameplay of what seems to be mario kart 9
Switch 2 Mario Kart trailer reveals a whole new Donkey Kong seemingly inspired by the Mario movie: "DK ain't look right"
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda movie: Everything we know so far about the live-action movie
A screenshot from Super Mario Odyssey showing Mario throwing Cappy in New Donk City.
As Nintendo remains quiet on Switch 2 lineup, retailer lists "New 3D Mario" and "Legend of Zelda Remake/Remaster" under 2025 games
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
As Sonic the Hedgehog 3 tears up the box office, its writers now want to adapt The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker: "We're putting it out there in the world"
A screenshot of Mario Kart 9, shown during the Switch 2 reveal trailer.
Nintendo Switch 2 fan notices musical Super Mario Bros Easter egg in reveal trailer, indicating just how badly everyone needs more details about the new console
Link and Epona
A Zelda movie is finally happening, but Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto used to adamantly oppose the idea even "if Steven Spielberg himself" wanted to do it
Latest in Animation Movies
Ne Zha 2
After dethroning The Force Awakens, the surprise animated hit taking the box office by storm could claim a record from James Cameron next
Flow
Flow won big as this year's Oscars underdog against Pixar and Netflix, and it's proof of the power of storytelling over dialogue
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
As the new Looney Tunes movie that Warner Bros passed on makes a strong start, one of its artists urges fans to "buy a ticket it and support it" saying "word of mouth and hype works"
Ne Zha 2
After 10 years, a new animated movie has beaten a box office record set by Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Shrek 5
Shrek 5: release date, plot, trailer, news, and more
The Iron Mask
The 32 greatest swashbuckler movies ever made
Latest in News
Batman: Arkham Knight
Rocksteady's rumored single-player Batman game is in development for PC, PS5, Xbox, and "the next generation of consoles"
Pillars of Eternity
10 years later, in a post-Baldur's Gate 3 and Avowed world, Obsidian is giving its own throwback CRPG Pillars of Eternity a turn-based combat mode
Destiny 2 Lightfall
When Destiny 2 "weekly active users dropped lower and faster than we'd seen since 2018," Bungie assembled an A-Team to put out some fires: "We needed to do something"
Velma, Daphne, Fred, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo looking at a giant key which is also a clue
Netflix is rebooting Scooby-Doo as a live-action series from the producer of Supergirl and The Flash centered around a "supernatural murder" at a summer camp
Astro Bot
Astro Bot went through 23 pitch iterations before its director promised PlayStation "happy gameplay" and "overflowing charm," though it did once end with robot decapitation that made "some people really upset"
Tomb Raider
5 years after Avengers, 2 years after its last layoffs, and who knows how long before Perfect Dark and Tomb Raider return, Crystal Dynamics announces another round of layoffs