An animation film based on the iconic video game characters, Super Mario brothers, is in the early stages as Japan’s Nintendo Co Ltd decided to team up with US film studio Illumination Entertainment to produce the movie.
The film would be distributed by Universal Pictures, Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima said at a meeting with analysts on Thursday.
The launch date has not been decided; news agency Reuters reported citing Kimishima.
It is a part of the Japanese videogames maker firm’s efforts to diversify revenue sources as its earnings are heavily reliant on the gaming console business.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nintendo confirmed the news in a tweet: “Nintendo and Illumination are partnering on a movie starring Mario, co-produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri!”
Miyamoto is the creator of Mario and many other Nintendo properties, and Meledandri is the owner of Illumination Entertainment; the production company behind Despicable Me, Dr Seuss and Minions, reports the Variety magazine.
Speculation, based on Nintendo's current schedule, is that the earliest the film will hit cinemas in 2020.
A BBC report says it won't be the first time the plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi will have featured in a film series.
In 1993, a live action film loosely based on the gaming series was released but didn't receive much praise from critics.