Lights, Camera, Action – Nintendo’s Movie Madness!
So, Nintendo has decided it’s time to sprinkle some pop-culture pixie dust onto its beloved franchises and release movies on a regular basis, courtesy of the roaring success of that little film about a plumber who fixes more than just pipes. Yes, that’s right—the Super Mario Bros Movie is serving as the launchpad for what could be a full-blown cinematic universe of mustachioed heroes and colorfully dressed princesses.
At the recent financial results spectacle—think less Oscar gala, more PowerPoint presentation—Nintendo’s very own head honcho, Shuntaro Furukawa, laid out the grand strategy for a new movie empire. The approach? Rather than merely handing over the keys to the IP kingdom to some studio and letting chaos reign, Nintendo is diving into the cinematic waters headfirst. “Deeply involved” doesn’t even begin to cover it; the company is in the trenches from “planning and development through to production.” Take that, other studios!
The All-Hands-on Deck Approach
In a thrilling revelation fit for a blockbuster recap, Furukawa remarked that for mega-hits like The Super Mario Bros Movie and the soon-to-be-legendary Super Mario Galaxy Movie, none other than the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto has donned the co-producer hat alongside Mr. Chris Meledandri of Illumination—the company that seems to be the go-to for all things animated and bright.
But wait, there’s more! When it comes to live-action adventures, Miyamoto doesn’t just kick back and relax. Oh, no! He’s teaming up with Mr. Avi Arad of Arad Productions Inc for the Zelda film, which is still in the works. Reports say he has been on board since day one of planning—a kind of Renaissance Man of video game adaptations.
New Ventures and Animated Antics
And what’s that? Nintendo has also unveiled its own animation powerhouse, Nintendo Pictures—responsible for the heartwarming short Pikmin: Close to You, which apparently made fans care about tiny creatures that enjoy gardening adventures. Launched in 2022, this venture promises a deluge of animated goodies. And folks, this year saw the birth of Nintendo Stars, which apparently aims to “propose new ways to enjoy characters.” Sounds like a fancy way of saying “Let’s merchandise everything!”
The Future Looks Bright (and Blockbuster-Worthy)
Back to the nitty-gritty: Furukawa flashed a slide that could make even the most stoic board member giggle, titled “Building a Framework for a Consistent Release Cadence.” The slide showcased three confirmed upcoming films: The Super Mario Bros Movie in 2023, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie in 2026, and the highly-anticipated Legend of Zelda in 2027—along with two mysterious question marks and an ellipsis. Oh, the suspense! What could they be cooking up next? Another kart racing film? A documentary on the life of Toad?
A Rainbow of Cinematic Possibilities
As for the release timeline? Furukawa hinted that there won’t be another three-year gap between adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom and Hyrule. The excitement is mounting like a Toad on a turbo kart! The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has already been teased in a Nintendo Direct—thankfully free from any glitchy gameplay—confirming a release in April 2026. And rumor has it that the first full trailer may just pop up attached to Wicked for Good, so moviegoers know when to grab their popcorn.
The live-action Legend of Zelda movie is scheduled for a May 7, 2027 debut, directed by Wes Ball. One can only hope he captures the whimsical spirit of the game, as he draws inspiration from Hayao Miyazaki, a legendary figure known for crafting visually stunning and emotionally rich stories. If there’s one thing that can seriously elevate a video game movie, it’s a sprinkle of Ghibli magic!
