Asahi: 3D films of Mario, Zelda, other games may be a few years away.
The game company Nintendo is in tie-up talks with multiple production companies throughout the world to enter the movie business. According to the Asahi Shimbun paper, Nintendo aims to strengthen its character franchise business and grow the number of people playing games. Asahi says that 3D animation of Super Mario Brothers and other popular games may be seen in a few years.
The newspaper is reporting based on responses from Nintendo‘s current president, Tatsumi Kimishima, in an exclusive interview. Thus far,Nintendo‘s involvement in movie-making has mainly been in the form of giving production companies the rights to use its characters for fees. However, Kimishima said, “We want to do as much as we can ourselves.”
Asahi reports that Nintendo has not just Japan, but the United States and the rest of the world market in mind, and that the company aims to complete the first work in this new venture in two to three years. The company is looking not just into movies, but also into selling projects on home video throughout the world.
Kirishima specifically refrained from naming specific characters such as Mario, but said he wants to use intellectual property popular worldwide. Asahi indicates the potential for 3D animation movies with such game characters as Mario and The Legend of Zelda protagonist Link.
The Super Mario Bros. game franchise previously inspired a 1993 live-action film, which Kimishima acknowledged was not well-received. Disney licensed the use of the Mario Brothers games’ antagonist Bowser from Nintendo for the 2012 3D CG movie Wreck-It Ralph.Nintendo also agreed to let the 2015 live-action Pixels film use its Donkey Kong character.
When The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Netflix is producing a live-action television program based on The Legend of Zelda video games, Nintendo told Niconico News, “We will not comment on the rumors or speculations.”
Shigeru Miyamoto, leader of Nintendo‘s Software Planning & Development (SPD) Division, told the business news website Fortune during E3 2015, “As we look more broadly at what is Nintendo‘s role as an entertainment company, we’re starting to think more and more about how movies can fit in with that—and we’ll potentially be looking at things like movies in the future.”
Universal Studios Japan and Nintendo announced in March that they plan to open a 40-billion-yen (about US$350-million) Nintendo-themed attraction at Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan theme park by the time the Tokyo Olympics are held in 2020.
Source: Asahi Shimbun via Otakomu
More from Anime News Network:
Nintendo reportedly close to agreement for U.S.-produced animated Super Mario Bros. film
Nintendo tweets out ad for Sony’s PS Vita: jealous workers or inside job?
Zelda isn’t the Nintendo anime adaptation Japanese fans want to see most, survey says
Super Mario 3D World’s new Goomba Cat will cute your face off
Nintendo accidentally reveals Zelda-themed Wii U hardware bundle
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
Fading Tokyo – Horikiri Station, the Arakawa River, and Kinpachi-sensei[Walking course]
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Yoshina invites you to give the gift of beef bowls this Mother’s Day
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Nintendo announces live-action Hollywood Zelda movie, co-financed by Sony
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie reveals cast for roles of Link and Zelda
Nintendo renames Mario character Blackie to Spike in Japan
Dozens of new Nintendo games available to play for free at Comic-Con 2013!
Nintendo mysteriously releases Close to You CG animated video, but what is it?【Video】
Web-based emulator adds cool retro quasi-3D effect to classic NES games 【Video】
Nintendo: Wii U production to continue in next fiscal term or later
Nintendo’s Top Dog Takes Luigi to America Prior to Release of New 3DS Title
Live-action Legend of Zelda movie releases first on-set, in-costume images【Photos】
9 things we know about Nintendo’s plans for the near future following today’s conference
Super Mario is officially a plumber again, Nintendo says
Luffy Vs Goku in 3D! New Shonen Jump Fighting Game to be Released in 2013
The next Nintendo president has finally been decided!