After much speculation and reporting, Nintendo’s CEO formally confirmed they are collaborating on a Super Mario movie with animation studio Illumination Entertainment. Nintendo’s Creative Fellow and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Illumination founder Chris Meledandri will co-produce the motion picture epic. Universal Studios will co-finance with Nintendo, and Universal Pictures will distribute the picture worldwide.
Ilumination Entertainment needs little introduction in this decade, as the animation studio is best known for the Despicable Me film series and its ubiquitous mascots, the Minions. Mr. Miyamoto has produced similar animated ventures for Pikmin and Star Fox in the past, an indication that he will be hands-on with this picture as well. He had nearly no involvement with the other time Super Mario Bros. hit the big screen, the 1993 live action movie starring Bob Hoskins as Mario.
Nintendo is pursuing a Super Mario Bros. movie as part of the company push to expand the reach of their storied IP, Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima states. This includes the company’s partnership with Universal Parks and Resorts to create the Super Nintendo World expansion at Universal Studios parks worldwide., beginning in Japan come 2020.
