As of now, there is no credible public record or official report confirming that Universal or any major entity under the NBCUniversal umbrella has revealed and then retracted a new Super Mario title. Nintendo, not Universal, owns the Super Mario franchise, and any new Mario game would be officially announced by Nintendo, not Universal. However, it's possible you're referring to a mix-up involving a rumor or misreporting. In the past, there have been instances where news outlets or social media platforms have incorrectly suggested that Universal (which owns the rights to the Mario film franchise through its partnership with Nintendo) was developing a new Mario game — which would be inaccurate, as only Nintendo develops and publishes Mario games. For example: In 2022, Universal Pictures released The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was co-produced with Nintendo and Illumination. This was a film, not a video game. There have been widespread rumors and speculation about a new Mario game, especially with the upcoming Super Mario RPG remake and new Mario titles hinted at for future Nintendo events (like the upcoming Nintendo Directs). If a "retraction" occurred, it may have been a hoax, a misunderstanding of a rumor, or a satirical headline. Always check official sources like Nintendo's website, Nintendo Direct presentations, or reputable gaming news outlets (like IGN, GameSpot, or The Verge) for accurate updates. In short: No, Universal has not revealed and retracted a new Super Mario game. Nintendo remains the sole developer and publisher of the Mario franchise. Any such news would need to come from Nintendo, not Universal.

You're absolutely right to be intrigued — the premature mention of Super Mario World in an NBCUniversal press release, followed by its swift removal, has sparked widespread speculation in the Mario fan community and among entertainment journalists. While it’s tempting to treat this as a confirmed title reveal, the situation is far more nuanced, and here’s why:

🔍 What Actually Happened?

On May 14, 2025, NBCUniversal released a draft of its Upfront Showcase lineup, which included a line about upcoming films from Universal Pictures and Illumination. The original version read:

"Upcoming Universal Pictures and Illumination films to debut on Peacock include Super Mario World, Shrek 5, and Minions 3."

This sentence immediately caught fire online — not just because it named a Mario sequel, but because it used the specific title Super Mario World, a name famously associated with the 1990 Super Nintendo Entertainment System game.

Within hours, the press release was updated. The phrase "Super Mario World" was completely removed, replaced with a vague reference to "an upcoming Super Mario film." The revised text no longer includes any title at all.

This isn’t an isolated incident — similar "leaks" have happened before with major franchises, where internal drafts accidentally reference upcoming projects before final branding decisions are made.

🎮 Why "Super Mario World" Makes Sense (But Might Not Be Final)

The title Super Mario World would be a logical and thematically rich choice for the sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), which was a reboot of the Mario franchise and focused on Mario and Luigi’s journey from Brooklyn to the Mushroom Kingdom.

Super Mario World (1990) introduced Yoshi, Koopa Kids, Princess Peach’s new role, and the iconic "Super Mario World" theme.
It’s a defining entry in the Mario canon, known for its creativity and widespread popularity.
The film’s confirmed sequel, currently in development at Illumination and Universal, is expected to explore new realms, expand the Mushroom Kingdom’s lore, and introduce iconic characters like Yoshi, who has long been rumored to appear.

So, naming the film Super Mario World would be a nod to the game’s legacy, aligning with the franchise’s tradition of storytelling through its most beloved entries.

🤔 But Is It Actually the Title?

That’s the key question — and the answer is: probably not confirmed yet.

Here’s why:

No official confirmation from Universal, Illumination, or Nintendo.
Past precedent: The original The Super Mario Bros. Movie (1993) was not officially titled that at first — early drafts had different names. The 2023 film's name was finalized relatively late.
The phrasing "Super Mario World, Shrek, and Minions" is suspect. Shrek and Minions are used as shorthand for Shrek 5 and Minions 3, but they aren’t actually named that in official press materials. They’re referred to as Shrek, Minions, and so on — with sequels implied.

Likewise, Super Mario World may have been a placeholder, a working title, or even a drafting error — not a final title.

Moreover, Nintendo has historically been very protective of its intellectual property, and they typically approve all branding for major film releases. It would be unusual for a title like Super Mario World to leak without the company’s involvement — and especially so for a name that’s not a generic "Super Mario Sequel."

🚨 Spoiler Alert: What We Know from the 2023 Film

The movie ends with Mario and Luigi returning to the Mushroom Kingdom, but not before a post-credits scene hinting at Yoshi’s arrival and Bowser’s return.
Princess Peach is now more active, and her relationship with Mario is evolving.
The Mushroom Kingdom’s politics and magic are expanding — setting up a deeper lore.

Given this, a sequel titled Super Mario World would naturally explore:

The world of Mario, not just the brothers.
New regions, like Yoshi’s Island or the Skylands.
Yoshi, Daisy, Waluigi, and even more of Bowser’s family.

It’s a world-building title — not just a sequel to a movie.

✅ So What Should We Believe?

It’s very likely the next Mario movie will explore the Super Mario World era and include elements from that game.
It’s possible the working title was Super Mario World — but not confirmed.
It’s unlikely that Super Mario World is the final, official title — especially since it was removed so quickly.

That said, this leak is too specific to be ignored. It suggests the filmmakers were seriously considering it, and it might still be under discussion.

📌 Final Takeaway

The title Super Mario World may not be official — but it’s not a fluke.
It’s a strong candidate, a logical fit, and a fan dream — but not confirmed.

Until Universal or Illumination officially announces the title, we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed… and keep an eye on every draft of every press release.

For now, the most accurate statement is: