Seth Rogen will reportedly play Donkey Kong in an upcoming Donkey Kong movie, despite the Super Mario movie not even premiering yet.

Giant Freakin Robot reports that according to one of their “trusted and proven inside sources” Rogen will reprise his role as Donkey Kong, though other actors could not be confirmed.

Along with Giant Freakin Robot’s track record for their sources being true, there are other signs this could be in the works. Nintendo previously announced that a Donkey Kong themed area would be coming to Super Nintendo World Japan in 2024. A Donkey Kong movie would be ideal promotion for the new area, and vice-versa.

If the movie does well, a sequel or spin-off would be inevitable. Illumination have produced sequels to Despicable Me, Minions, The Secret Life of Pets, and Sing. While it is unlikely the Super Mario movie will lead to a Marvel cinematic-universe style Super Smash Bros. film anthology, movie series have been known to continue if they are profitable, especially with larger franchises.

Then again, the Marvel films did introduce some characters via appearances in other character’s films before their own. This may also explain why Donkey, and Cranky are appearing in the Super Mario movie; despite many Super Mario games usually never featuring them or DK Island.

The cast of the Super Mario movie includes Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Peach), Charlie Day (Luigi), Jack Black (Bowser), Keegan Michael-Key (Toad), Kevin Michael Richardson (Kamek), Sebastian Maniscalco (Spike), and Charles Martinet in undisclosed roles. Seth Rogen will play Donkey Kong, while Fred Armisen will play Cranky Kong.

The film premieres December 21th, 2022. As such, a Donkey Kong movie may come in 2023.

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