Film

10 Possibilities For Who Is Voicing Fox McCloud In The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

26 March 2026

Fox McCloud is officially set to appear in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. After lots of speculation that the intergalactic anthropomorphic fox would make an appearance in The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s sequel, Nintendo confirmed it on Thursday, March 26, just six days before the movie hits theaters.

The concrete knowledge that Fox McCloud is in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie did not come with all the necessary information, though. How exactly the Star Fox franchise lead factors into the plot remains unknown. Additionally, Nintendo did not announce who is voicing Fox McCloud in his debut movie (and any subsequent appearances in the Nintendo Cinematic Universe, like a Super Smash Bros. movie).

It will only be a matter of days before we know officially who voices Fox McCloud in the movie, but in the meantime, the mystery allows room for speculation and fan-casting. Here are 10 possible options for whom Nintendo cast. And sticking with Illumination’s track record, it’s unlikely that anyone who previously voiced him in the Star Fox video games (Daniel Owsen, Mike West, Steve Malpass, Jim Walker, or Joe Zieja) has returned.

10

Tom Cruise

Fox McCloud’s voice actor needs to be someone who can portray a pilot who is a strong leader with a calm presence and surely some comedic timing. It’s easy to imagine Tom Cruise taking on that spot. He can mold Ethan Hunt’s leadership with Maverick’s personality to be a strong match for Fox.

Cruise’s casting would be a massive get for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘s cast, too. He’s never done an animated movie in his career, so this would be the first. But with the franchise potential baked into this role and his movie star status, Cruise would be an incredible surprise addition to the Nintendo Cinematic Universe.

9

Glen Powell

Chad Powers (Glen Powell) on a couch holding a video game controller in Chad Powers

Should The Super Mario Galaxy Movie have wanted someone like Cruise to play Fox but younger, then perhaps Glen Powell was the call. He’s shown his ability to do comedy and has a generally cool presence that Nintendo’s fox is associated with. Powell even has voice acting experience through Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood and Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous.

It could help his case that he already has a strong relationship with Illumination’s parent company, Universal, too. Not only were they behind Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous, but Powell also headlined Twisters for them in 2024. While they sort out sequel options there, coming together for this role would work.

8

Brad Pitt

Sonny (Brad Pitt) walking and smiling in F1.

Circling back to an older, more established star, Brad Pitt could fit in as Fox McCloud in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and beyond. He’s done voice work before with movies like Megamind and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.

Pitt also would instantly make Fox a believable leader, giving him some gravitas as an intergalactic adventurer. And given the level of stardom he carries with him, this would be a piece of casting that could also prove to benefit The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘s box office.

7

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling as Ryland smiling toward Rocky with his helmet off in the tunnel in Project Hail Mary

Maybe this thought is partially due to the timing of the announcement, but Ryan Gosling could be a great choice, too. The star has shown that he can really do it all, with Project Hail Mary being the latest example.

He just played a smart but funny character in space in the movie, which is just how Fox needs to be. If this is the route Universal, Illumination, and Nintendo went, it’d be quite brilliant timing for Gosling following Project Hail Mary’s box office dominance and rave critical response.

6

Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan is another option for Fox’s voice actor who could be the beneficiary of the timing. He is fresh off winning his first Oscar for his performance in Sinners, and while he has another animated movie coming out on Netflix in May, a surprise role as Fox McCloud in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie would be serendipitous.

Jordan has all the trademarks of someone the studios would be looking for to play Fox. He’s got a charismatic personality, a history with voice acting, and a big enough name to help bolster any potential standalone Star Fox movies that could be planned.

5

Pedro Pascal

2026 is already going to be a huge year for Pedro Pascal between The Mandalorian and Grogu and Avengers: Doomsday. He’s been one of Hollywood’s most in-demand stars for the last few years, and that level of interest could have made him at the top of Universal, Illumination, and Nintendo’s list for Fox McCloud.

Pascal is always an engaging screen presence, and he has a recognizable voice that could mesh well with Fox. Perhaps this would be one too many major IP roles for the actor, but if the studios came calling, Pascal would undoubtedly be able to breathe fresh life into Fox’s calm personality. He’s even already voiced a fox in animation before, thanks to Universal and DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot.

4

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan Bailey as Lord Anthony Bridgerton, sitting, in a still from season 4

Universal may have looked toward one of their biggest recent stars to play Fox, too, in Jonathan Bailey. He’s fresh off being in both Wicked films and having a major role in Jurassic World Rebirth. Studios often like to keep actors around who have produced strong results for them, and Bailey has done that for Universal.

He could easily slide into playing the Star Fox character to not only make him a formidable leader but also imbue him with a bit more heart and emotion. Bailey’s charisma and comedic ability would certainly shine through in such a role, too.

3

Jake Gyllenhaal

[EMbargo March 9] Jake Gyllenhaal is aiming to shoot his bazooka in In the Grey

If The Super Mario Galaxy Movie wanted to portray Fox in a slightly more serious manner, Jake Gyllenhaal could have been the choice. He’s highly regarded for his intensity as a performer and often finds success in making his characters stand out thanks to the range of his abilities.

Gyllenhaal has done comedy before, should the role call for any, and has voice acting experience from Disney’s Strange World. But if Nintendo was looking for Fox McCloud to be on the less comedic side compared to the other characters, Gyllenhaal is one of the bigger names they could’ve potentially landed on.

2

Austin Butler

Fox McCloud is known for his stillness as a leader that allows him to take on each new challenge without freaking out. And while that may make him seem older in demeanor, he’s a relatively young character in the games. That could have led the studios to look a bit younger than the other suggestions (who are all close to or over 40 years old).

Enter Austin Butler, the 34-year-old star who has been in Dune: Part Two, Elvis, and more. He could bring a bit more of a youthful presence to Fox while still maintaining the experienced persona he typically carries. Butler would certainly be able to carry the character forward well after The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, too.

1

Mahershala Ali

mahershala ali in blue 1280x720 — mahershala ali in blue 1280×720

Sticking with the idea that The Super Mario Galaxy Movie could have looked for an actor who could nail Fox’s calmness over anything else, Mahershala Ali would be another excellent choice. He brings a natural depth to all his performances, and being present and in the moment is often a strength.

Ali is the most prestigious option presented here, as he’s a two-time Oscar winner. But he’s also done multiple animated movies through the Spider-Verse franchise, which really showcase how great his voice works in this medium. No one will have any trouble following Fox McCloud’s commands in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie if Ali’s voice is behind them.