In the stretch of video game films that continue to pour out in the past couple of years, Nintendo is no stranger to the effort. In 2019, the firm introduced Detective Pikachu to the mix which might even be the catalyst for other movies that followed. But, in a recent interview, star Justice Smith states to be unsure a follow-up is in the pipeline over at Universal Films.
Regardless, the Japanese company is working to bring one of its most iconic properties to the big screen, Super Mario. Yes, there is the original 1993 live-action film, this new production is to take the universe in the complete animated route. To do that, Nintendo handed the responsibility to Illumination: the studio that conjured Despicable Me, Minions, and The Grinch.
According to a interview with Fast Company, Nintendo appears to hint that the firm is only just starting for what will later be more projects in its pipeline.
It’s not that we’ve asked Illumination to handle everything. Mr. Miyamoto is very, very hands-on with the production of this movie. […] Animation, in general, is something that we are looking into, and not just this franchise.
Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo President
Unfortunately, the company does not proceed with any details as to what the aim might be for other productions in mind. However, there are some possibilities that could come later on. For one, Metroid is a potential candidate. In that, Metal Gear director Jordan Vogt-Roberts expressed his interest to make the film if the opportunity is welcomed. Additionally, Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) also shares her interest to play as Samus in a live-action film.
Nintendo does not happen to be the only firm with a larger scale of entertainment planned for its video game franchises; Sony does as well. In an interview at CES in early 2021, Sony Interactive Entertainment President & CEO Jim Ryan told that HBO’s The Last of Us and the approaching Uncharted movie is only the start. “This is just the beginning of the expansion of our storytelling into new media and even wider audiences. Sony is a creative entertainment company and entertainment has never been more important.”
Outside of the realm of possibilities, Nintendo is reported to also previously shelve other shows regarding its largest IPs. In that, it is told that both The Legend of Zelda alongside Star Fox were both cancelled following the latter leaking online back in 2015. You can read the full report by heading here.
Are you hoping more Nintendo movies hit the box office?
Source: Fast Company
