A new report hints that Nintendo and Illumination are expanding their partnership beyond a single franchise. The studios are reportedly developing Super Mario 2 alongside several interconnected animated projects within the same universe. The move could signal a broader vision for Nintendo’s growing presence in film.
Nintendo turning its video game movies into MCU-like universe
Nintendo and Illumination are reportedly developing a shared cinematic universe centered on Mario and related characters, according to insider account MyTimeToShineHello.
The insider claimed on X (formerly Twitter), “Illumination and Nintendo are planning a shared cinematic universe for Mario and friends. A Donkey Kong movie is already in active development, while Luigi’s Mansion and a Princess Peach spinoff are also in the works. They’re aiming to introduce more Nintendo characters through their own films — all leading up to a massive Super Smash Bros. movie event.”
Nintendo is producing The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, a sequel to 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The studio plans to release it on April 3, 2026, with Chris Pratt returning as Mario. The sequel expands the story beyond the Mushroom Kingdom.
Industry sources, including Daniel Richtman, report that Nintendo and Universal are developing a Donkey Kong–focused project connected to the same cinematic world as the Mario films.
In July 2025, Nintendo and Universal filed a copyright for an “Untitled Donkey Kong Motion Picture,” fueling speculation about its active development. The upcoming films will explore new corners of Nintendo’s universe, spotlighting characters like Luigi, Princess Peach, and Donkey Kong. Each character will lead a standalone story before joining in a crossover inspired by Super Smash Bros.
Nintendo is also working with Sony Pictures and director Wes Ball on a live-action Legend of Zelda film. This project exists separately from its animated ventures with Universal and Illumination. The company’s next theatrical release remains The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, while work on additional spin-offs continues behind the scenes.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype.
