The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 (2025) is an exciting prospect following the success of the first Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), which was a box office hit and captured the magic of Nintendo’s iconic franchise. Building on the established universe, the sequel could take fans on even bigger adventures through the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond, featuring new characters, settings, and challenges that will continue to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers to the series.

Story:

The Expansion of the Mario Universe:
- After the first movie’s events, which saw Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad working together to defeat Bowser and save the Mushroom Kingdom, The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 could expand the world further. With the Mushroom Kingdom safe, the characters may find themselves facing new challenges and exploring other parts of the Mario universe—perhaps even venturing into new realms like Sarasaland, the land of Yoshi’s Island, or the bustling metropolis of New Donk City (from Super Mario Odyssey).
- The plot could center around the characters discovering a new threat that puts the entire Mushroom Kingdom, or even the broader world, in danger. This time, the heroes could travel across multiple worlds, confronting familiar enemies and facing challenges unique to each realm.
The Return of Bowser and New Villains:
- Bowser, the iconic villain, could return in a bigger and badder way. After his defeat in the first film, he might seek vengeance or attempt to gain even more power, perhaps teaming up with other villains from the Mario universe—like Wario, Waluigi, or King K. Rool.
- A new villain could also be introduced, potentially someone who threatens the fabric of the Mushroom Kingdom itself, like the evil sorcerer Kamek or a powerful new foe from the Super Mario games. This villain could bring a new level of danger to the characters, forcing them to rise up against overwhelming odds.
Mario and Luigi’s Brothers’ Bond:
- The dynamic between Mario and Luigi could continue to be a focal point. In the first movie, their relationship was central to their teamwork and eventual victory. The sequel could explore their brotherly bond even more deeply as they work together to overcome new challenges and possibly face personal struggles.
- Luigi, who was a standout character in the first film, could get more development in the sequel, potentially taking on a larger role and stepping out of Mario’s shadow. His character arc could involve finding his own idenтιтy and becoming more confident in his abilities.
Princess Peach and the Power of Leadership:
- Princess Peach, a key character in the Mario franchise, could have a larger role in the sequel as a leader of the Mushroom Kingdom. With the world at peace, she might be dealing with the complexities of ruling, balancing her responsibilities with her desire for adventure. Her character could face new challenges as she leads the resistance against the new threats to her kingdom.
- Peach’s relationship with Mario could also continue to evolve, with the two working more as equals and partners rather than just as princess and hero.
Power-ups and New Abilities:
- One of the staples of the Mario franchise is the use of power-ups, which would continue to be central to the movie’s action. Mario and Luigi could discover new power-ups or tools to help them on their journey. Items like the Super Star, Fire Flower, and Super Mushroom could return, but there may also be new ones introduced that provide exciting new abilities.
- The sequel could take the concept of power-ups and abilities further, with Mario and his friends using them in creative ways to defeat enemies, solve puzzles, and traverse different environments.
The Exploration of New Worlds:
- The sequel could see the characters exploring new and unique locations in the Mario universe. While the Mushroom Kingdom would likely remain central to the story, Mario and his friends could venture to exciting new places, such as:
  - Yoshi’s Island: A tropical paradise filled with unique creatures and new challenges.
  - Sarasaland: A world based on the Super Mario Land games, introducing new characters and environments.
  - Bowser’s Castle: A return to the iconic location, perhaps in a more perilous form, with new traps and challenges.
  - New Donk City: A bustling urban environment full of possibilities for adventure, bringing a more modern, city-like setting to the movie.

Characters:

Mario: The brave, optimistic, and always determined plumber who will continue to lead the charge against new threats. His personal growth could revolve around stepping up as a true hero of the Mushroom Kingdom while continuing his bond with Luigi.
Luigi: The often-overlooked brother who has proven himself time and again. The sequel could explore Luigi’s character more deeply, showing how he grows into a more confident and capable hero.
Princess Peach: The intelligent and resourceful princess who could have a larger role in this movie, not just as a damsel in distress but as a strong leader and key figure in the battle for her kingdom.
Bowser: The classic antagonist, Bowser’s return could bring even more mayhem and chaos. His motivations could be more complex this time around, perhaps fueled by a desire for power or revenge.
Toad: The loyal and quirky Toad would continue to be a supportive and comedic character, helping Mario and his friends along the way. He might even take on a larger role in the action sequences.
New Characters: The film could introduce new allies and enemies from various corners of the Mario universe, such as Wario and Waluigi, King K. Rool, and even the Koopa Troopas or Thwomps. The new characters could help expand the world, providing fresh dynamics and opportunities for new challenges.

Visual Style:

Like the first film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 would likely retain a visually vibrant and colorful aesthetic, bringing the Mario universe to life with eye-popping CGI animation. The fantastical worlds, from the Mushroom Kingdom to new locations, would be rich with detail, full of quirky and imaginative elements.
Action sequences would be dynamic, with fast-paced chases, jump sequences, and battles that play off the iconic gameplay of the Mario franchise. Expect larger-than-life moments, like fighting Bowser on a huge moving platform or navigating new environments filled with traps and obstacles.

Music:

The soundtrack would likely feature a mix of classic Mario music, reimagined in a cinematic context, and new compositions to complement the story. The iconic Super Mario Bros. theme could make appearances in key moments, alongside fresh, adventurous music that matches the tone of the film.
The use of music could also reflect the different worlds Mario and his friends explore, with each environment having its own unique soundscapes that enhance the atmosphere.

Tone:

The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 would balance action, humor, and heart, just like the first movie. The tone would be fun, adventurous, and light-hearted, but also feature moments of personal growth, teamwork, and heroism. The film could explore deeper themes of friendship, family, and leadership, while still delivering the fun and excitement that fans expect from the Mario franchise.

Overall Expectations:

The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 (2025) would be an exciting continuation of Mario and Luigi’s journey, with new adventures, new characters, and thrilling new settings. With a focus on expanding the world of Mario, deepening character relationships, and offering even more exciting action, the sequel would appeal to both fans of the franchise and newcomers. Whether it’s facing off against Bowser once again, discovering new realms, or teaming up with new characters, The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 has the potential to be a fantastic and fun-filled ride that continues the legacy of the beloved video game series.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.