AceShowbiz - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has sparked a wave of fan theories about which characters might appear in this eagerly awaited sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While popular figures like Fox McCloud and Wario dominate speculation, some less obvious but more plausible characters are being overlooked. One such character is Professor E. Gadd, a beloved supporting figure in the Super Mario franchise known for his scientific inventions and his debut as Luigi’s guide in Luigi’s Mansion back in 2001.

Professor E. Gadd has since become a staple of the Luigi-focused spinoff games and has made appearances across various Super Mario titles. The latest trailers for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie hint that he may either appear on screen or be referenced in a way that sets up future appearances, especially given some marketing materials teasing a significant connection to the professor.

A key clue lies in Bowser Jr.’s weapon featured prominently in the trailers. The young antagonist wields a long paintbrush, which fans will recognize as the Magic Paintbrush. This weapon has appeared in games such as Super Mario Power Tennis and Super Mario Sluggers, but it originally debuted in Super Mario Sunshine. In that game, it was revealed that both the Magic Paintbrush and the device known as F.L.U.D.D., which Mario used to combat Bowser Jr., were inventions created by Professor E. Gadd.

Interestingly, Super Mario Sunshine established that Bowser Jr. somehow obtained the Magic Paintbrush from Professor E. Gadd before the events of that game, adding depth to the character’s arsenal. Given the weapon’s important presence in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it stands to reason that the professor will be involved in some way to explain the origins of the paintbrush and its significance.

Unless the film takes creative liberties and reworks the Magic Paintbrush’s backstory, audiences can likely expect to see or hear about Professor E. Gadd as part of the plot. The paintbrush appears to be a crucial element for Bowser Jr.’s schemes, which means the movie will probably provide some context for how he came to possess it.

Moreover, there is potential for the paintbrush to be returned to Professor E. Gadd by the movie’s conclusion. This narrative choice would not only resolve the weapon’s storyline but also lay the groundwork for a future team-up between Luigi and the professor, possibly paving the way for a Luigi’s Mansion spinoff on the big screen.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is scheduled for release on April 1, 2026, with a runtime of 98 minutes. Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc, and Fabien Polack, and written by Matthew Fogel, the film is produced by Chris Meledandri and Shigeru Miyamoto.

The cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach and Chris Pratt as Mario, continuing the star-studded lineup from the previous installment. As fans eagerly await the movie, the potential inclusion or reference to Professor E. Gadd adds an exciting layer of intrigue to the evolving Super Mario cinematic universe.

With the Magic Paintbrush serving as a tangible link to the professor and Bowser Jr.’s plans, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie promises to deepen the lore and expand the roster of characters in ways that honor the games’ legacy while setting up future storylines. Fans should keep an eye out for subtle hints or direct appearances of Professor E. Gadd, as his involvement could be a key element in the film’s plot and beyond.

This article is based on reporting originally published by ScreenRant.