Nintendo is working with film studio Illumination for an upcoming Super Mario movie. Shigeru Miyamoto seems to have found the right partner for the project.
In a recent interview, the Mario creator revealed he developed a rapport with Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri, and their meeting of the minds made Miyamoto realize something. The game author decided there and then that he found the right collaborator for a pet project that took years to take off.
Nintendo's current partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts paved the way for the two executives to meet. Miyamoto also alluded to Meledandri's impressive body of works - from Ice Age to Minions. Tapping Illumination's expertise on animated films seems to be the wise thing to do.
However, what sealed the deal was the values they shared, Miyamoto claims they clicked. Talks about the collaboration has been going on for two years, and the Japanese gaming icon is finally ready to let the world know that a Super Mario film will become a reality soon.
"When I talked with Chris, he said he had read a lot of interviews with me and felt we had a similar approach to creation. Talking about our similarities, we clicked and decided maybe we should do some kind of collaboration," Miyamoto said in the interview.
Work In Progress
Miyamoto said Meledandri's work ethics is a surefire formula for success, which is something that he wants to see as the Super Mario movie gradually takes shape. At this point, the movie remains a plan.
"We've talked together and shared the feeling that if we can't make something interesting we'll just call it quits," he admitted.
The actual product, however, has a good chance of seeing the light of the day. A script is already in the works, and the overall progress of the project has been encouraging. Miyamoto hinted that more details on Super Mario would be made public in due time.
Nintendo Extra Cautious
Looking back, the slow progress of the Super Mario film project seems understandable. An earlier attempt by Hollywood in the 1990s had dismal reviews, and the Japanese company wants to make sure that the next one will not suffer the same fate. It took some time to find the right partner, but the next Mario incarnation appears to be in good hands.
Miyamoto said Nintendo will soon make an announcement about the Super Mario film. Teasers will be made available to fans whenever possible. As for the movie's actual release date, nothing is set in stone. However, Nintendo might opt for a 2020 screen debut to coincide with the company's planned inauguration date of theme parks jointly developed with Universal.
