Released on May 28, 1993, the film was a critical and financial failure, grossing $38.9 million worldwide, against a budget of $42–48 million. Filming took place from May to July 1992.
The production innovated and introduced many filmmaking techniques now considered pivotal in the transition from practical to digital visual effects, including the use of Autodesk Flame. The setting was primarily inspired by the game Super Mario World (1990), with other elements drawn from fairy tales and contemporary American culture.
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Given free creative license by Nintendo, the screenwriters envisioned the film as a subversive comedy with a "weird and dark" tone, with influences from Ghostbusters (1984) and The Wizard of Oz (1939). Its story follows brothers Mario ( Bob Hoskins) and Luigi ( John Leguizamo) in their quest to rescue Princess Daisy ( Samantha Mathis) from a dystopic parallel universe ruled by the ruthless President Koopa ( Dennis Hopper). The film was directed by the husband-and-wife team of Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel, written by Parker Bennett, Terry Runté and Ed Solomon and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures through Hollywood Pictures. It is the first feature-length live-action film to be based on a video game. (also known as Super Mario Bros.: The Movie) is a 1993 adventure comedy film loosely based on the Mario video game series by Nintendo.