Nintendo Nears Universal Deal for Zelda Movie: Illumination’s Next Blockbuster Franchise
Nintendo, following the massive success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, is reportedly on the verge of striking a deal with Universal for a Legend of Zelda film. Veteran film reporter Jeff Sneider stated on The Hot Mic podcast that a “great source” informed him of the potential deal, indicating that Universal is in the process of closing a significant agreement with Nintendo for the Legend of Zelda franchise.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a co-production between Illumination and Nintendo, has amassed over $1.3 billion at the global box office and is currently the biggest film of 2023. This accomplishment has likely encouraged Nintendo to seriously consider expanding their ventures into the film industry, with the universally beloved Legend of Zelda series being an ideal candidate for adaptation.
This year’s release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Switch has only served to heighten the franchise’s popularity, selling 10 million copies worldwide within its first three days. The continued success of the Zelda franchise, which has sold over 130 million units since its 1986 debut, makes the prospect of a film adaptation an exciting and potentially lucrative endeavor for both Nintendo and Universal.
Table of Contents
Zelda Movie Deal
Universal’s Partnership with Nintendo
Following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which generated over $1.3 billion at the global box office, Universal is reportedly close to solidifying a partnership with Nintendo for a Legend of Zelda movie. As veteran film reporter Jeff Sneider states on The Hot Mic podcast, Universal is nearing completion on a “big deal” with Nintendo to bring the iconic game franchise to the big screen. This collaboration would be the next chapter in the successful Illumination and Nintendo partnership, which has already seen significant box office returns with the Super Mario film.
Expectations of a Major Franchise
With the Legend of Zelda film, Illumination and Nintendo have the potential to establish another major franchise in the animation world. The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s performance at the box office has set a high bar, becoming the second highest-grossing animated film ever, behind only Disney’s Frozen 2. This success has led to a greater awareness of the Mario brand and an increase in sales of related merchandise, as well as renewed interest in classic Mario titles.
Given the Zelda franchise’s enduring popularity—having sold over 130 million units since its debut in 1986—it is expected that a well-executed film adaptation could further strengthen Nintendo’s presence in the gaming and entertainment industry. As Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has stated, the company is committed to expanding its IP and creating more appealing content, while respecting the unique characteristics of each franchise. With this strategic approach, the Legend of Zelda film could become another monumental hit for Universal, Illumination, and Nintendo.
Super Mario Bros. Movie Success
Box Office Performance
The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a co-production between Illumination and Nintendo, has experienced exceptional success at the global box office. Since its early April release, the movie has generated over $1.3 billion, making it the biggest film of 2023 to date. As a result, it has surpassed other blockbuster hits such as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which grossed nearly $786 million.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie has also managed to become the second highest-grossing animated film ever, only trailing behind Disney’s Frozen 2. With a physical release date set for June 13 in the US and Canada, the film continues to demonstrate its impressive performance in theaters.
Industry Impact
This overwhelming success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie has had a noticeable impact on the games industry as well. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa mentioned during the company’s quarterly earnings call that the movie has positively affected sales for Mario-related merchandise and has resulted in a slight increase in activity for classic Mario titles available on Nintendo Switch Online.
Furthermore, the success of the movie prompted Nintendo to explore opportunities for more visual content, with the consolidation of Nintendo Pictures Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary last year. The company plans to expand the presence of its intellectual property, introducing a wider audience to its characters and game worlds. This approach is expected to continually invigorate Nintendo’s core dedicated video game platform business.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
“The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” is one of this year’s biggest blockbuster games on the Nintendo Switch, vastly contributing to the ever-growing hype surrounding the potential Zelda movie.
Game Sales and Records
In just the first three days after its release in May, “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” sold an astounding 10 million copies worldwide. This impressive feat makes it the fastest-selling game in the history of the Zelda series, as well as the fastest-selling Nintendo game for any system in Europe and the Americas.
Franchise History
Since its inception in 1986, the Zelda franchise has sold over 130 million units across various gaming platforms. Its continued success is not only attributed to the captivating game content but also to the diverse and immersive worlds that enthral gamers of all ages.
Nintendo’s Future Plans
Visual Content Development
Nintendo plans to focus on visual content in the coming years, as evidenced by last year’s consolidation of Nintendo Pictures Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary. Company president Shuntaro Furukawa expressed satisfaction with the success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie and emphasized their commitment to carefully develop and expand each intellectual property (IP), taking into account their unique characteristics.
Expanding Nintendo IP
The company’s goal is not only to create visually appealing content but also to expand access to Nintendo’s IPs. By introducing more people to their beloved characters and the exciting worlds within their games, Nintendo aims to attract new fans and rekindle the interest of those who have taken a break from playing on Nintendo platforms. This strategy will ultimately serve to invigorate their core dedicated video game platform business.
Conclusion
The potential deal between Nintendo and Universal for a Legend of Zelda film marks an exciting development in the world of video game adaptations. Building on the massive success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, which has become the biggest film of 2023, Nintendo is venturing further into the film industry with another beloved franchise.
With the enduring popularity of the Legend of Zelda series, which has sold over 130 million units since its debut, a well-executed film adaptation has the potential to captivate audiences and strengthen Nintendo’s presence in the gaming and entertainment industry. The success of the recent game release, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, further contributes to the growing anticipation for a Zelda movie.
Nintendo’s partnership with Universal and Illumination has proven fruitful, with the Super Mario Bros. Movie generating over $1.3 billion at the global box office and becoming the second highest-grossing animated film of all time. This success has not only impacted the film industry but also influenced game sales and revitalized interest in classic Mario titles.
Looking ahead, Nintendo’s commitment to visual content development and expanding access to their IPs demonstrates a strategic approach to engaging a wider audience and invigorating their core video game platform business. The Legend of Zelda film, if executed well, has the potential to become another monumental hit for Universal, Illumination, and Nintendo, further cementing their position in the entertainment landscape.
RELATED POSTS (read more)
