Glen Powell Pilots the Nintendo Universe: From Maverick Skies to the Lylat System
When it comes to embodying charismatic, daring pilots on-screen, Glen Powell has solidified his reputation with each major role. Now, fans of gaming and animation get to experience his signature touch in a surprising new dimension — voicing Fox McCloud in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. This highly anticipated sequel expands not just the rich Mario mythos but brings in heroes from across the Nintendo multiverse, with Fox McCloud making his cinematic debut front and center for the first time.
A Star-Studded Cast Gathers on the Mushroom Planet
The roster for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is nothing short of dazzling. Viewers will see familiar voices returning, such as Chris Pratt reprising Mario and Charlie Day as Luigi, but this next chapter unlocks a world where Brie Larson steps in as Princess Rosalina and Donald Glover brings Yoshi to animated life. The lineup is further electrified by Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr., Luiz Guzman portraying Wart, and Issa Rae channeling Honey Queen. Yet, in a crossover few expected, Fox McCloud — the legendary ace from the Star Fox series and Super Smash Bros. mainstay — enters the fray, his cool under pressure voiced by none other than Powell.
Fox McCloud: A Perfect Fit for Powell’s Pilot Persona
Choosing Glen Powell as Fox McCloud is more than clever casting; it’s synergy. His star ascended with Top Gun: Maverick, where he played Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin, a fiercely competitive yet ultimately heroic Navy pilot. Powell previously soared as real-life astronaut John Glenn in Hidden Figures, and later returned to the skies as Tom Hudner in Devotion, making him intimately familiar with characters defined by their bravery, flight skills, and leadership under fire. Those same traits are woven into Fox McCloud’s DNA, making Powell’s casting a natural fit for Nintendo’s celebrated starfighter leader.
Technical Triumphs and Critical Reactions
Top Gun: Maverick proved blockbuster gold, earning nearly $1.5 billion worldwide and becoming a cornerstone of modern aviation cinema with its six Academy Award nominations. Hidden Figures also soared critically and commercially, while Devotion resonated with reviewers, despite a quieter box office run. Powell’s resume is stacked with characters defined by cockpit camaraderie, discipline, and charm.
Switching gears to the Mushroom Kingdom, the first Mario adventure film introduced millions to Nintendo’s universe with style, humor, and ambitious animation. Now, with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the cast leaps beyond, with intergalactic pilots like Fox McCloud set to enchant both Mario devotees and lifelong Nintendo fans. Despite a mixed critical response, anticipation among audiences remains sky-high, thanks to the creative blend of nostalgia, new faces, and crossover drama.
Behind the Scenes: Directing a Universe
Guided by directors Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc, and Fabien Polack, this new Mario odyssey is crafted with animation and humor catering to families and fans alike. Screenwriter Matthew Fogel and producers Chris Meledandri and Shigeru Miyamoto pull from deep Nintendo lore, ensuring that each character — from Mario to Fox — feels expertly realized and deserving of their cinematic spotlight.
Expanding the Nintendo Cinematic Universe
The addition of Fox McCloud signals an exciting willingness to bridge Nintendo’s worlds on screen. With Glen Powell voicing Fox, audiences get a hero who embodies cool-headed leadership, daredevil flight sequences, and the relentless pursuit of justice — a tradition Powell has championed from the big-screen skies to the animated realms of gaming’s most iconic franchises.
