AceShowbiz - Ben Schwartz, the voice behind Sonic in the "Sonic the Hedgehog" movie series, hinted at the potential for a movie adaptation of the popular "Super Smash Bros.", which sees Super Mario being pitted against characters across various video games. Discussing the subject in an interview with Variety, Schwartz expressed excitement but also noted the complexities involved.

"We're getting closer," Schwartz remarked, acknowledging the growing interest in a big screen version of the beloved crossover fighting game series.

Launched in 1999, "Super Smash Bros." features iconic Nintendo characters such as Mario and Pikachu battling it out in various game stages inspired by their respective worlds.

The high-grossing "Super Mario Bros. Movie" released in 2023, which earned over $1.3 billion globally, has set a strong precedent. A sequel is already planned for 2026, increasing the enthusiasm for more video game adaptations.

Schwartz mentions, "But the idea that we get to build our own franchise that lives on its own, and we have so many characters within this franchise, that we can do three, four, five, six - that's what I'm concentrating on and that's what I love."

The challenge lies in collaborating across different studios. The "Sonic" movies are distributed by Paramount Pictures while "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" comes from Universal Pictures. Schwartz notes the necessity of studios working together, saying, "So if you can get all these studios that oftentimes compete with each other to make the same movie and somehow split the profits, that would be wonderful."

Fans' anticipation is also fueled by recent successful adaptations of video game franchises. The collaboration between Nintendo and Sony Pictures on a "Legend of Zelda" film and the hit 2019 movie "Pokemon Detective Pikachu" are testaments to the potential success of a "Super Smash Bros." movie.

In the interview, Schwartz also alluded to the new "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" movie, which is predicted to make $70.5 million over its debut weekend. This success could further bolster support for a cinematic crossover in the future, permitting the inclusion of various beloved characters in one grand film.

Whether studios decide to unite to bring "Super Smash Bros." to the big screen remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the appetite for a movie featuring Sonic, Mario, and other iconic characters is stronger than ever. As Schwartz notably said, it would be "bananas" and undeniably thrilling to see these famed video game characters clash in theaters.