Why isn't Yoshi in 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'?

The Super Mario Bros. Movie dominated the box office again this past weekend and some fans of the hit film based on the Nintendo video game series can't help but wonder: Why isn't Yoshi in the film? The lovable dinosaur-like creature often serves as Mario and Luigi's sidekick, but was nowhere to be found in his usual green form in the animated flick.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie' Post-Credits Scene: Who is Yoshi?

Review: is The Super Mario Bros. Movie Super? (or Not so Much?)

Yoshi - Wikipedia

Yoshi in The Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 by TTTEFan19 on DeviantArt

31 The Super Mario Bros. Movie Details And Callbacks

Yoshi (1993 Movie), The Codex Wiki

6 Things We Learned In The Super Mario Bros. Wonder Direct - Geek Parade

Mario Movie Writer Reveals Why Yoshi Didn't Make the Cut + More BTS Details (Meaner Bowser?!)

Chris Pratt's Accent Is Still Bad In 'The Super Mario Bros Movie' Trailer