Besides the known fact that there’s a Super Mario Bros. movie coming in 2022, little else has been confirmed about the plumber’s big foray into the film industry. However, it appears Mario’s first casting choice does involve one of Nintendo's most obscure characters from the long-forgotten Wrecking Crew game.
While it’s expected any modern Mario movie would definitely make use of Toads, Bowser, Luigi, and Princess Peach, Foreman Spike is not the first name that comes to mind in a list of baddies meant for Mario tio stomp on. In a world full of Goombas, Koopas, Bob-ombs, Shy Guys, and Piranha Plants there really hasn’t been much place for a construction foreman since Wrecking Crew 98’ came out on the SNES.
And yet, comedian Sebastian Maniscalco accidentally revealed Foreman Spike will be making a comeback in the Super Mario Bros. animated movie by referring to it as the project he is working on currently, specifically playing a character named Spike who’s supposed to be the Mario brothers’ boss. Judging from Maniscalco's casual behavior, it’s likely he’s unaware of the roar this type of news is bound to cause among Nintendo fans. Maniscalco casually revealed his role on the Bertcast with fellow comedian Bert Kreischer (he drops the news at the 1 hour and 35 minute mark in the video).
It’s hard to pinpoint what to make of this news, but if Foreman Spike returns for the Super Mario Bros. movie as Mario’s boss this could see the character working together with Bowser to sabotage a possible construction gig Mario and Luigi are working on, just like in Wrecking Crew 98’. All this draws further questions as to how Shigeru Miyamoto and Despicable Me producer Chris Meledandri will ease Mario's transition into cinemas.
Foreman Spike’s only other real appearance came in the Game Boy Color’s Mobile Golf, plus a WarioWare Gold cameo, although the character has been referenced in titles such as Super Mario Maker. The most recent nods show up in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate since the game has a dedicated Wrecking Crew stage, besides the fact that Mario’s darker brown and black alternate color have long been believed to be references to both of Foreman Spike’s designs.
Naturally, the first iteration of Wrecking Crew has made it into the Nintendo Switch Online’s list of exclusive vintage games available to subscribers, following the same trend from the past decade that saw similar digital releases on the Wii, 3DS, and Wii U. As Nintendo's interest in movies continues to grow, a solid start from the company's MVP is key if there ever is to be a gaming equivalent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe starring Mario in place of Iron Man.
Super Mario Bros. is scheduled for release in 2022.
Source: Bert Kreischer|YouTube