Original Donkey Kong creator Shigeru Miyamoto reveals why the character looks a bit different in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
During the most recent Nintendo Direct, the legendary game designer confirmed that Donkey Kong’s new look is supposed to be reminiscent of an old one.
“For this movie, we seized the opportunity to give him a comical personality and design reminiscent of the original character,” he explained.
Donkey Kong first appeared in the 1981 arcade classic as the game’s titular villain. In the game, Jumpman (later renamed Mario) must climb through a construction site while avoiding obstacles such as barrels and fireballs to rescue his girlfriend Pauline from the clutches of Donkey Kong.
The arcade game was a huge hit, spawning the long-running Donkey Kong franchise.
But while the character has been through various iterations, including the popular Donkey Kong Country version, it looks as though the iconic ape in the upcoming movie will be based on the one from the original game.
At least, when it comes to the character’s design.
Donkey Kong render for the Super Mario Bros. Movie, comical personality and design reminiscent of the original character pic.twitter.com/RhMYNxIx6Q
— Wario64 (@Wario64) November 29, 2022
Donkey Kong’s appearance in the film’s latest trailer clearly takes inspiration from the original, too, as he’s seen beating up Jumpman… ahem… Mario, atop one of those iconic red girders. Throw in a more fiery temper and well, it looks as though Mario is facing an old enemy once again.
Quite what’s going on in this scene remains to be seen, but Donkey Kong is clearly introduced fighting Mario in some kind of Super Smash Bros.-like stage, while Luigi has been captured by Bowser.
The movie’s first trailer debuted in October – finally lifting the lid on Chris Pratt’s Mario voice. The trailer also gave us our first glimpse of Jack Black as Bowser.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie will premiere in theaters on April 2023.
Want to read more about The Super Mario Bros. Movie? Check out The Super Mario bros. Movie’s official poster as well as which Nintendo franchises deserve to be adapted for the big screen next.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
