Shigeru Miyamoto bans dirty jokes in the Super Mario film series

Nintendo has not ruled out the possibility of Wario appearing in the Super Mario film series. This comes despite Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto saying he has banned dirty jokes from the movies. Wario is, of course, known for his less-than-clean habits, which makes his possible presence in the films an interesting challenge.

In the popular Super Smash Bros. franchise, Wario uses the power of his farts to launch attacks through a well-known ability called Wario Waft. He is also often seen eating garlic and picking his nose. It is hard to imagine how Wario would fit in alongside the other characters in the Super Mario film series, but Miyamoto has said there is nothing standing in the way of his appearance, including any apparent dislike of off-color humor.

In an interview with Japanese website Crank In, Miyamoto said: "I think of children as 'adults, they just don't know as much yet.' So I don't want to make them laugh with dirty jokes, and I even imposed a ban on dirty jokes on Chris [Meledandri, the head of animation studio Illumination] (laughs)." He added: "Oh, that doesn't mean Wario won't be in the movies."

Wario's role in the franchise

So far, Wario is the most famous Mario franchise character yet to make the leap to the big screen. Many other characters, such as Rosalina and Birdo, have already appeared in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. However, it remains unclear exactly how Wario could show up, as there are no signs that his arrival will happen anytime soon.

There will need to be someone to serve as the antagonist in the third main Mario movie at some point in the future. Bowser actor Jack Black has already suggested that this film will arrive in 2029. There is also a spin-off film planned for 2028, which is expected to focus on Donkey Kong. That shows there is still plenty on the horizon for the Super Mario film series.

Financial success and future plans

After a month in theaters, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has now grossed $898 million worldwide, a total more than enough to secure a sequel. However, that figure is well below the $1.36 billion earned by Nintendo's first animated film. The question remains whether the sequel can still cross the billion-dollar mark. While it is not impossible, it seems increasingly unlikely, especially given the mixed reviews the film has received, something that even Miyamoto found surprising.

Raising expectations

The fact that Miyamoto has banned dirty jokes could create both creative limitations and opportunities for future storylines. The choice of whether or not to include Wario in the film could reflect that balance between more adult humor and a family-friendly approach.