Miyamoto drops future Nintendo movie hints

Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto has suggested that the company is planning its next movie adaptation, following the hugely successful performance of The Super Mario Bros. Movie.

The gaming giant has made no secret of its desire to create more video content in the future, and has even established a company division to handle such endeavours.

Speaking in a Japanese interview with Nikkei this week (translated by VGC), Mario designer Miyamoto hinted that the company’s next movie adaptation could focus on different Nintendo characters.

“Please keep an eye on our next production,” Miyamoto said. This time, Mario was the focus, but, “Nintendo is like a talent agency. We have many other entertainers (on our roster),” the company Fellow added.

Although Miyamoto did not disclose any further details, he said, “There are various ways to develop characters (for the screen), including characters that are suitable for film and characters that are well known.”

Following its release earlier this month, The Super Mario Bros Movie has surpassed expectations and is expected to comfortably surpass the $1 billion global box office milestone.

Nintendo partnered with the animation studio Illumination for the movie. Considering the movie’s success, and the fact that CEO Chris Meladandri was appointed to Nintendo’s board, it’s likely that the pair will continue to work together in the future.

Asked about Illumination’s future relationship with Nintendo this month, Meladandri told ScreenRant: “We are so focused right now on this movie, all the way up to Wednesday, and how the audience engages with the film. Nintendo and Illumination have had a really rewarding collaboration.

“Mr. Miyamoto and his colleagues have invited me to join the board of directors of Nintendo, and we’re working together into the future with me in that capacity. But it’s hard for us to talk about anything else at this time.”

Mr. Miyamoto added: “Like Chris mentioned, there’s nothing we can share now. But I’m sure we will continue working on this partnership.”

While its core business remains making and selling games, Nintendo has moved to leverage its popular IP in various ways in recent years.

The company’s new Nintendo Japan stores opened starting in November 2019, and Super Nintendo World theme parks are set to open at Universal Studios locations around the world.