The Post-Credits Scene In 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' Hints At A Sequel

While the makers of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" have remained tight-lipped about whether the moustachioed plumber's first animated film adventure will become a franchise, a post-credits scene at the conclusion of the Universal and Nintendo film suggests a sequel.

Midway through the credits, a miniature Bowser (Jack Black) is shrunk via blue mushroom and caught by the Toads, and he performs a hopeless ode to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) within the confines of his cage.

Fans who stick around until the conclusion of the credits will be treated to another scene, possibly hinting at a "Super Mario Bros. Movie 2." A green-and-white-speckled Yoshi egg rests alone, cracking, in the brief sequence. The film fades to darkness before Mario's adored dino sidekick can hatch.

While there is no word on a "Mario" sequel at this time, the post-credits scene alluded to the film's glaring omission of one of the most iconic Super Mario Bros. characters. (One short scene in the film shows a herd of multi-coloured Yoshies running wild, but Yoshi is not a character in the movie.)

"The Super Mario Bros. Movie," featuring Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Seth Rogen, and Keegan-Michael Key, hit theatres on April 5. The film, produced by Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri and Super Mario Bros. creator Shigeru Miyamoto, is projected to gross more than $125 million in its first five days.

Meledandri was coy when asked about possible sequels or future adaptations of Nintendo properties in this week's Variety cover story about the film's making. "Right now, our focus is entirely on bringing the film to the audience, and we're not prepared to talk about what's coming in the future," he said.

But the Illumination CEO didn't stop there, saying, "I wouldn't rule anything out."

Meledandri also mentioned in the cover story that his introduction to the Mario series came from watching his young son play Super Mario World, the first video game to feature Yoshi. Maybe he has a thing for the affable, fruit-eating green dinosaur.

Even if there is no word of a "Super Mario Bros. Movie" sequel, it won't be long before die-hard fans begin casting Yoshi.