Hollywood's hot streak, Glen Powell, is soaring to new heights—literally. The actor has officially signed on to voice the iconic character Fox McCloud in the highly anticipated animated sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Powell announced the casting himself via a post on his personal Instagram, sending fans of the beloved Nintendo franchise into a frenzy.
A Star Pilot Joins the Cosmic Crew
Powell will join a star-studded voice cast that includes Anya Taylor-Joy, who is reprising her role as Princess Peach, and Chris Pratt, returning as Mario. The addition of Fox McCloud signals a major expansion of the Mushroom Kingdom's cinematic universe, venturing into the deep space adventures the Super Mario Galaxy games are famous for. Fox McCloud is the fearless leader of the Star Fox team, an elite squadron of mercenary pilots known for their daring missions across the Lylat system.
This casting continues Powell's impressive run in high-profile projects. Following his scene-stealing role in Top Gun: Maverick and leading the football comedy Chad Powers on Hulu, his vocal performance as the cunning and heroic fox is highly anticipated. Powell's charismatic and confident on-screen presence seems a perfect match for the character's leadership qualities.
What This Means for the Mario Movie Universe
The inclusion of Fox McCloud is a clear nod to the expansive world-building planned for the film series. While the first film established the core characters in the Mushroom Kingdom, this sequel appears ready to blast off into a broader Nintendo cosmos. Fans have long speculated about crossovers within Nintendo's IP, and this move confirms that the filmmakers are thinking on a galactic scale.
This strategic expansion mirrors trends across the streaming landscape, where franchises are constantly evolving to capture audience attention. Just as established series like NCIS find new life on platforms like Paramount+, the Mario franchise is leveraging its deep bench of beloved characters to create a fresh cinematic experience. It’s a competitive arena, much like the ongoing battle for viewership between major streaming originals.
The announcement also highlights the continued drawing power of Anya Taylor-Joy, whose projects consistently generate buzz. Her recent thriller Split saw a major resurgence on Apple TV charts, proving her star quality translates across genres and platforms. Her return as Princess Peach, now alongside Powell's Fox, creates a dynamic new duo for the adventure.
With production details still under wraps, it remains to be seen how large a role the Star Fox team will play. However, Powell's casting is a major piece of news that sets the stage for an intergalactic adventure far beyond the green pipes and question blocks. It promises to blend the whimsical charm of Mario with the sci-fi dogfighting excitement of the Star Fox series.
As studios and streamers vie for audience loyalty with ever-grander franchise plays—from Taylor Sheridan's expansive universes to legacy sequels—The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is positioning itself as a major theatrical event. The film is scheduled for release this April, and with this latest casting, the hype is officially cleared for launch.
