Nintendo’s Cinematic Universe: A Potential ‘Everyone Is Here’ Showcase Featuring Kirby, Star Fox, Luigi’s Mansion, and More

There’s some buzz circulating today from a well-known leaker about Nintendo’s ambitious plans for a Marvel-style cinematic universe, and if the rumors hold any weight, we could be in for a treasure trove of Nintendo films over the next decade:

**Update on the Nintendo Cinematic Universe:**

– A Donkey Kong movie is reportedly in the works, aiming for a 2028 release.
– Development has kicked off for Mario 3, with a target of 2029.
– A Star Fox film is also in the pipeline, looking at a 2030 debut.
– A Kirby movie is in the early stages of development.
– Luigi’s…

While this leaker has had some hits in the past, they’ve also missed the mark quite a bit, so take this with a grain of salt. Still, it opens the door for some fun speculation about how these potential films might connect, especially with the much-anticipated “Everyone is here!” moment that fans are hoping for in a Smash Bros. movie. So, let’s dive into this hypothetical timeline and explore what each of these films could mean for the Nintendo universe, starting with:

First up, we know for sure that a Zelda movie is happening, with a release date set for May 7, 2027. Filming just wrapped, and it’s directed by Wes Ball, with a script by Derek Connolly and T.S. Nowlin. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will portray Link, while Bo Bragason takes on the role of Zelda. We’ve even caught glimpses of the film through some sneaky set leaks and a few official images showcasing Ainsworth in Link’s iconic green attire and Bragason in the blue from Breath of the Wild.

Details about the specific storyline remain scarce, but fans have been busy theorizing. One leak hints at an actor who might be playing a character resembling Impa, and some images suggest a Temple of Time set, which could point to an Ocarina of Time storyline. Regardless, Zelda is confirmed as the next major Nintendo film, so I’ll hold off on further speculation for now.

Rumors indicate that a Donkey Kong film is already well into development and set for 2028, which, alongside Zelda, would establish a steady rhythm of one Nintendo movie per year. There’s some backing for this rumor, as Nintendo and Universal registered an “Untitled Donkey Kong Project” copyright last year. Interestingly, Donkey Kong was absent from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, despite the character’s resurgence thanks to Donkey Kong’s recent popularity. Seth Rogen is rumored to reprise his role from the first film, but the specifics of his character’s journey remain unclear. Personally, I’d love to see the entire DK Crew embark on an adventure reminiscent of Donkey Kong 64, but it’s more likely we’ll get a Donkey Kong Country-style story featuring Diddy, Dixie, and Cranky. Plus, with Pauline’s cameo in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, there’s potential for her to team up with Donkey Kong for some fun escapades.

Now, let’s talk about Mario 3. It’s hard to imagine Nintendo halting the Mario movie train after the success of the first two films. The rumor mill suggests a 2029 release, but details on the plot are still under wraps. The recent Galaxy film felt more like a mashup of various Mario games, making it tough to predict what direction a third movie might take. I’d love to see a full adaptation of Super Mario Sunshine, complete with Mario’s arrest, the Chuckster throwing him into the void, and the epic showdown with Bowser in a hot tub. Plus, Luigi could have his own side adventure in a ghost hotel! Unless, of course, Nintendo plans to save that for Luigi’s own film…

Star Fox seems like a no-brainer after its appearance in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Current rumors suggest that a Star Fox film won’t hit theaters until 2030, while unrelated whispers hint at a new Star Fox game coming soon. Fox McCloud was portrayed as a charming pilot in the Galaxy film, making him a prime candidate for his own movie, especially with the lovable cast of characters from the Star Fox games.

Now, a Kirby movie in early development? That’s intriguing. On one hand, Kirby might not seem like the ideal candidate for a feature-length film since he doesn’t talk and his main interests are eating and sleeping. However, I’m a fan of the Kirby: Right Back at Ya! TV series, which thrived thanks to its strong supporting cast, including the hilarious Meta Knight and King Dedede. This could tie in nicely with the interconnected Nintendo universe that’s been hinted at with characters like Rosalina and Fox. But let’s not send Kirby to space again; he deserves to stay home, nap, and enjoy his apples until the next game.

Despite my skepticism about Nintendo’s cinematic ventures, I can’t help but feel a bit excited about a Luigi’s Mansion film. Charlie Day’s portrayal of Luigi has been one of the standout performances in the previous films, and giving him the spotlight without Mario could allow for some real character development. Plus, the plot is already there.

The challenge with Luigi’s Mansion is that it might not lend itself to a plethora of references, as it primarily revolves around Luigi, King Boo, E. Gadd, and Gooigi. It’s a more contained story, which could work in its favor.

And let’s not forget Polterpup. I just want to see Polterpup on screen. Is that too much to ask?

There’s also talk of a Yoshi film, but I’m less enthusiastic about that. The Yoshi segments in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie felt unnecessary, and I’d rather not see a repeat of that experience.

Now, here’s an interesting twist: there are rumors of a Metroid film, with both Sony and Universal reportedly vying for the rights. This isn’t the first time Metroid has been considered for the big screen; years ago, John Woo was attached to direct a Metroid film, but Nintendo pulled the plug after the original Super Mario Bros. movie didn’t pan out. Back then, Nintendo wasn’t ready to explore Samus’s character beyond her combat skills. However, with a more relaxed approach to collaborations now, perhaps it’s time for Nintendo to revisit the idea of a Metroid film. Fans will be curious to see if it leans towards a Prime storyline or something akin to Super Metroid. Personally, I’m hesitant about Nintendo’s ability to craft a compelling cinematic narrative after the fluffiness of the Mario films, but maybe next year’s Zelda will change my mind.

Lastly, there’s mention of a film focused on Bowser and Bowser Jr., possibly featuring the Koopalings. This could provide an opportunity to explore Bowser’s character and his struggles with fatherhood, which was hinted at in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie. However, I wish we could have resolved that subplot in the original film instead of waiting several years for closure.

As I wrap up this list, I didn’t expect to feel more cynical as I went along. While it’s great to have films that might appeal to kids with princess aspirations, I can’t shake the feeling that Peach and Rosalina have been underdeveloped. Peach is portrayed as a strong, independent character with a mysterious past, but her depth seems to diminish as the story progresses. Rosalina, introduced with great potential, barely speaks in the film.

This could be an opportunity for Nintendo to flesh out its female characters and give them the spotlight away from the male leads. I’ll try to keep that in mind if this film ever comes to fruition.

But seriously, what about Daisy?

And finally, the big moment we’ve all been waiting for: the potential for a Super Smash Bros. film. This would be the ultimate “everyone is here” moment for Nintendo, although it’s unlikely we’d see third-party characters like Sora from Kingdom Hearts or Sonic make an appearance.

Current rumors suggest this film won’t arrive until after the 2030 Star Fox movie, giving Nintendo time to build its cinematic roster. A Smash Bros. film could be a fanservice-filled animated adventure, perhaps reminiscent of the 2021 Mortal Kombat movie. It would also provide a chance to showcase lesser-known characters like Ness, Lucas, Inklings, Ice Climbers, Pit, Villager, and even some Pokémon. I’m definitely intrigued to see how Nintendo handles a film that must include multiple versions of Mario.