Keegan-Michael Key Just Revealed Something About Mario 3 That Has Fans Recalculating 2029
Nintendo’s gaming empire is conquering Hollywood one blockbuster at a time — and the end is nowhere in sight.
After back-to-back billion-dollar hits, fans have been desperate to know when the next chapter in the Super Mario cinematic universe will arrive.
Now, Toad voice actor Keegan-Michael Key has finally given audiences the answer they’ve been waiting for — and while it might sting a little, it sounds like it’ll be worth every second.
Here’s everything we know about the Super Mario threequel, what Key had to say, and the packed Nintendo theatrical roadmap that’s about to make the next few years very exciting for gaming fans.
Two Movies. $2.3 Billion. Nintendo Is Rewriting the Rules
It’s hard to overstate just how dominant Nintendo has become at the box office.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, released in 2023 and directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, wasn’t just a hit — it was a historic moment for gaming adaptations everywhere.
Produced by Illumination and featuring an all-star cast including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, and Seth Rogen, the film hauled in a staggering $1.36 billion globally, cementing its place as the highest-grossing video game movie ever made.
Only Barbie edged it out as the overall top earner of 2023. That’s pretty elite company.
Then came the sequel. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie dropped on April 3, 2026, and once again, Nintendo delivered. The film locked in $970 million at the global box office, securing the top spot as the highest-grossing release of the entire year.
Combined, that’s a $2.3 billion franchise run across just two films. The formula is clearly working.
Keegan-Michael Key Just Confirmed What Fans Suspected
So when does the threequel arrive? Key addressed that burning question directly in a recent interview with ScreenRant — and the answer is both exciting and a little bittersweet.
We want to get it right. We want to get everything right. We want to get all the details right. And Michael and Aaron, who are our directors, have a real passion for this. I think they’re as passionate about these projects as the audience is. And so we got to get it right, we got to get it right. So I apologize. But it’ll be worth the wait. It’ll be worth the wait…’29 is better than sometime, right?
There it is. 2029 — and Key isn’t the only one pointing to that window.
Jack Black, who voices the iconic villain Bowser, had already floated a similar timeline to fans. With both cast members independently landing on the same year, 2029 is looking less like speculation and more like a genuine target date.
That would also maintain the three-year rhythm between releases — the exact gap between the first film and Super Mario Galaxy. Consistent, calculated, and clearly intentional.
The Directors Are Just As Obsessed As You Are
Key’s comments paint an encouraging picture of what’s happening behind the scenes.
Horvath and Jelenic aren’t phoning this in. According to Key, their dedication to getting every detail right rivals the passion of the fanbase itself — which, given how vocal Mario fans can be, is saying something.
The wait may be long. But a team this committed to the craft? That’s a good sign.
Nintendo’s Hollywood Roadmap Is Stacked Through 2029
Here’s where things get really interesting for Nintendo fans — because the wait for the Mario threequel comes loaded with some seriously exciting consolation prizes.
2027 brings something fans have dreamed about for decades: the first-ever live-action Legend of Zelda adaptation. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is set to portray Link, with Bo Bragason stepping into the role of Princess Zelda.
A live-action Zelda film. Let that sink in.
Then in 2028, rumors are swirling around a Donkey Kong spin-off movie, potentially arriving in April — the same calendar slot Nintendo has used for both Mario releases so far.
That’s a Nintendo theatrical drop every single year through 2029. The gaming giant isn’t just dipping its toes into Hollywood — it’s building a cinematic universe.
What’s Coming and When
2027 — The Legend of Zelda (live-action), starring Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason
2028 — Donkey Kong (rumored spin-off movie, reportedly targeting April)
2029 — Super Mario threequel (confirmed target window by Keegan-Michael Key and Jack Black)
The Patience Will Pay Off — Probably
Four years is a long time to wait for a sequel, especially when the first two films delivered so spectacularly.
But Key’s words carry genuine reassurance. A creative team that refuses to rush, directors who are deeply passionate about the source material, and a franchise that has already proven it knows how to deliver — those aren’t bad ingredients for a third chapter.
As Key put it himself — 2029 is better than sometime.
And honestly? With Zelda and Donkey Kong dropping in the years before, Nintendo fans are going to stay very busy in the meantime.
