Recently, Nintendo has been riding a wave of excitement in the film and television world thanks to the success of Super Mario Bros. Movie and the highly anticipated live-action movie The Legend of Zelda. Company president Shuntaro Furukawa has clearly stated that Nintendo is vigorously advancing multiple film and television projects, showcasing its strategic move to diversify its intellectual properties (IP) into broader entertainment realms.
During the Q&A session of the annual shareholders’ meeting, President Furukawa emphasized that Nintendo is taking a proactive stance towards film and television adaptations. They are not just licensing their IP to external production partners but are also deeply involved in the production process and investing as needed. This strategy aims to ensure that the final works maintain a quality consistent with the originals, aligning perfectly with their previous successful collaboration with Illumination, which is a prime example, having surpassed $1.3 billion in global box office.
This latest expansion of film and television content aligns with Nintendo’s hopes to broaden its engagement with intellectual property, breathing new life into its core hardware and software business. In addition to the confirmed live-action films Super Mario Bros. Movie 2 and The Legend of Zelda, specific details about other projects are yet to be revealed. The possibility of classic series like Metroid, Kirby, and Donkey Kong making their way to the big screen has sparked considerable excitement and speculation within the industry. This decision by Nintendo highlights its ambition to become a comprehensive entertainment powerhouse.
