By Video Game fans for years have wanted to see Mario and pals return to the big screen, but unfortunately, the 1980s live-action film bombed and bombed hard. Since then Nintendo has been super hesitant to even approach the idea of putting their mascot back on film, but luckily Illumination has come into the picture.
According to a recent quote from Nintendo themselves, the film’s development is going well. Nintendo fans can breathe easier at night that the studio behind Minions and Despicable Me is going to give Mario the film treatment he finally deserves. Here is the full statement made during their latest financial briefing in Japan:
The motion picture project that we are developing in partnership with Illumination, is one of the bigger examples of such projects that we are undertaking. As we have shared previously, production is moving along smoothly aiming for a theatrical release in 2022. This is a project that Nintendo is proactively involved in from its development and production, and we will also own the rights so that the movie can be leveraged for business opportunities. The movie will be jointly produced by Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director and Fellow at Nintendo, as well as Mr. Chris Meledandri, founder and CEO of Illumination. Funding for this movie will be provided by Nintendo and Universal Pictures, and Universal Pictures will also be handling the distribution and promotion of the movie.
I am looking forward to seeing this film once it comes out and I pray with all my heart it will be a worthy addition to the storied franchise. We won’t know exactly what we are in for until we see a trailer and stills of course. The film isn’t slated to come out until 2022 so that gives them plenty of time to work out all the bugs and give the franchise the respect it deserves in a new decade. Only time will tell whether or not fans will run to see it or run away.
Super Mario Bros. movie is “moving along smoothly” – Coming in 2022 [Nintendo Wire]
