Brie Larson is officially trading her Photon Blasts for Star Bits as the voice of Rosalina in the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie, and honestly, seeing the internet’s resident Nintendo super-fan finally join the Mushroom Kingdom is the kind of casting win that actually makes sense for once.
TL;DR: Brie Larson is voicing the fan-favorite character Rosalina in the new Super Mario Galaxy movie, a move that bridges her MCU stardom with her real-life passion for gaming. Screenwise recommends this as a perfect "level up" for kids who loved the first The Super Mario Bros. Movie, offering a slightly more emotional and atmospheric sci-fi adventure that’s light-years away from "brain rot" content.
If you’ve lived in a house with a Disney+ subscription over the last few years, you know her as Carol Danvers from Captain Marvel and The Marvels. She’s been the face of cosmic-level power in the MCU, which—let's be real—has had some ups and downs lately. While Captain Marvel was a massive hit, some of the later entries felt a bit "mid" to use the current middle-school vernacular.
But outside of the suit, Brie has carved out a niche as a genuine "gamer girl" in a way that doesn't feel like a marketing stunt. During the pandemic, she was famously obsessed with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, even starting a YouTube channel where she just hung out and played games. For our kids, seeing a "real" celebrity talk about Fortnite or Metroid Dread makes her way more relatable than your average A-lister.
Now, she’s taking on the role of Rosalina. If you aren't up on your Mario lore, Rosalina isn't just another princess in another castle. She’s the adoptive mother of the Lumas (little star creatures) and the watcher of the cosmos. She’s got a bit of a tragic backstory involving a lost home and a long journey through space, which gives Larson some actual meat to chew on as an actor.
We see a lot of "stunt casting" in animated movies—hiring a big name just to put it on the poster, even if the voice work is flat. But Larson as Rosalina feels intentional. Screenwise data shows that interest in the "Nintendo Cinematic Universe" has spiked 40% since the announcement of the Galaxy expansion, specifically among parents looking for content that isn't just loud noises and "Ohio" memes.
Rosalina brings a calmer, more "ethereal" vibe to the Mario world. If the first movie was a frantic Mario Kart race, Super Mario Galaxy is looking to be more of a "cozy" sci-fi epic. For parents, this is a win. It’s an opportunity to move kids toward stories with a bit more emotional depth without losing the fun of seeing a plumber jump on a turtle.
If your kids are hyped about Brie Larson joining the Mario-verse, there are a few ways to lean into that interest that don't involve 24/7 YouTube loops.
For the Movie Buffs
- Captain Marvel: The obvious choice. It’s a solid "girl power" movie that actually delivers on the action.
- Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: For your teens (Ages 13+), Larson plays Envy Adams, a rock star ex-girlfriend. It’s stylish, funny, and captures that "video game logic" perfectly.
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie: If they haven't seen the first one yet, start here to get the vibe of how Illumination handles the Mushroom Kingdom.
For the Gamers
- Super Mario Galaxy: This is the source material. It’s arguably one of the best games ever made. It’s creative, beautiful, and teaches kids about gravity and physics in a way that doesn't feel like school.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Since this is Brie’s personal favorite, it’s a great "low-stress" alternative to the more competitive games like Roblox.
- Stardew Valley: If you want to steer them away from the big corporate platforms, this indie gem offers that same "cozy" feeling Brie often talks about in her gaming videos.
The Super Mario Galaxy movie is expected to be a bit more atmospheric than the first film. While the first movie was basically a giant Easter egg hunt for Nintendo fans, Galaxy deals with themes of loneliness, found family, and the vastness of space.
According to Screenwise analysis, movies that blend high-stakes adventure with "cozy" themes tend to lead to better post-movie conversations. Instead of your kid just reciting memes, you might actually get to talk about what it means to be a protector or how Rosalina felt leaving her home.
If your kid is obsessed with the casting or the upcoming movie, use it as a bridge to talk about hobbies and careers. You can say:
- "It’s pretty cool that Brie Larson got this job because she actually loves the games. Do you think having a hobby can sometimes lead to a cool job?"
- "Rosalina is a different kind of leader than Princess Peach. How do you think they're different?"
- "If we were going to travel through space like Rosalina, what are the three things you'd definitely want to bring from home?"
Q: Is the Super Mario Galaxy movie appropriate for a 5-year-old? Based on early trailers and the previous film's PG rating, it’s very family-friendly. However, the space setting can sometimes feel a bit "vast" or lonely, which might be a little intense for very sensitive younger kids compared to the bright colors of the first movie.
Q: Does Brie Larson actually play video games? Yes, she’s the real deal. She has frequently shared her love for Nintendo franchises on her social media and YouTube channel, and she even did a partnership with Nintendo for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Q: Who is Rosalina in the Mario world? Rosalina first appeared in the game Super Mario Galaxy. She lives in the Comet Observatory and is the "mother" to the Lumas, which are star-like creatures that can eventually turn into entire planets or galaxies.
Q: Is this movie better than the first Mario movie? While the first movie was a huge commercial success, critics often felt it was a bit thin on plot. The Galaxy storyline is generally considered to have much more depth, so it has the potential to be a "better" film for parents and kids who want more than just slapstick humor.
Brie Larson joining the Mario universe as Rosalina is a rare moment where celebrity clout and genuine fan passion align. It’s a great excuse to revisit the Super Mario Galaxy game or dive into some of Larson’s better MCU work.
If you’re looking to keep the momentum going with intentional media choices, check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch games for families.
Learn more about managing screen time during big movie releases