Cosmic Confirmation: How Deodorant Cans Leaked The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Title
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The highly anticipated sequel to Illumination and Nintendo’s box office behemoth, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is officially titled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. What makes this news particularly fascinating for the entertainment investment community and global gaming audience is the highly unusual source of its title leak: a line of Old Spice deodorant cans.
In a bizarre yet credible intersection of consumer goods and major motion picture marketing, images of Mario-themed Old Spice products surfaced months ago, well ahead of the official reveal. At the time, the branding on the cans—featuring the title “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”—was largely dismissed as an elaborate fan fake. However, a series of subsequent events, including trademark filings and domain registrations, have proven that this seemingly ridiculous leak was, in fact, the real deal, underscoring the complexities and risks in intellectual property management for large AAA franchises.
The Chain of Evidence: From Reddit Post to Official Confirmation
The journey of the leak began with an image posted on social media showing Old Spice deodorant cans featuring different Mario characters. The key evidence pointing to the sequel’s cosmic focus included:
- The Title Branding: The phrase “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” was clearly visible on the packaging, linking the sequel to one of the most beloved entries in the Nintendo canon.
- Character-Themed Scents: The cans featured character artwork and thematic names, suggesting plot points and new characters. One can, “Desert Detour,” featured Luigi alongside a Tostarenan from Super Mario Odyssey, suggesting a major world-hopping element. Another, “Brooklyn Bounce,” featured the much-anticipated debut of Yoshi, whose egg was teased in the first film’s post-credits scene.
- Trademark Validation: Crucially, the owner of Old Spice, Procter & Gamble, was later found to have registered trademarks in Canada for the deodorant names like ‘Desert Detour’ and ‘Brooklyn Bounce’ in July, weeks before the image gained traction. Additional scents—’Cosmic Quest,’ ‘Castle Crush,’ and ‘Space Mischief’—further hinted at the film’s interstellar theme.
- NBCUniversal Domain Registrations: The leak’s credibility soared when it was revealed that NBCUniversal had registered relevant domain names, including ‘supermariogalaxy.movie’ and translated versions for the French and Spanish markets. This is a common brand protection practice by film studios but, in this context, served as near-definitive proof of the title.
This unprecedented leak highlights the challenges of coordinating global marketing and merchandise tie-ins, where a simple image of a product in the consumer electronics and personal care supply chain can bypass official press strategies.
What The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Implies for the Franchise
The selection of Super Mario Galaxy for the sequel’s inspiration marks a significant leap in scope compared to the initial film. While many fans and analysts had speculated on “Super Mario World” as a logical progression—primarily due to the Yoshi tease—the move to the space-faring Galaxy title suggests a dramatic expansion of the cinematic universe. This signals a confident move by Illumination and Nintendo to broaden the gaming franchise’s appeal and leverage the rich lore of the modern Super Mario era.
The Galaxy theme introduces high-value plot elements and new characters, which are crucial for driving merchandising revenue and ticket sales in the highly competitive film industry:
- Rosalina and the Lumas: The Galaxy games introduced Rosalina, a fan-favorite character with a deeply emotional backstory, and the star-like Lumas. Their introduction will not only deepen the narrative but also provide new avenues for toy and apparel merchandising.
- Scope and Visual Spectacle: The Galaxy universe, with its gravity-defying, planet-hopping gameplay, offers vast potential for stunning visual effects and spectacle, a key driver of modern blockbuster titles and a major draw for the global audience.
- Bowser Jr. and New Villains: Early toy leaks and fan theories suggest that Bowser Jr., who plays a major role in the Galaxy games, may be introduced. This provides a fresh dynamic to the villain roster, avoiding the pitfall of relying solely on the returning Jack Black-voiced Bowser for conflict.
The film, set for release on April 3, 2026, retains its core voice cast, including Chris Pratt (Mario), Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), and Charlie Day (Luigi), and is being directed by the returning team of Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. The shift to a Galaxy setting demonstrates Nintendo’s commitment to evolving the film franchise quickly, creating an ambitious, premium gaming adaptation that is designed to earn its place in the game’s esteemed history.
The saga of the Old Spice leak is a curious reminder that in the age of rapid information sharing and intricate commercial partnerships, sometimes the most mundane product reveals can deliver the biggest exclusive news.