by Jonas Reichel on January 3, 2024

Are we witnessing the dawn of a Nintendo Cinematic Universe? At least if Illumination has its way, which, according to initial reports, is planning a cinematic universe together with Nintendo that will include a "Super Smash Bros." movie and several spin-offs.

It's hard to imagine the current movie industry without cinematic universes. Whether it's the MCU, the DCU or the MonsterVerse around Godzilla and Kong.

Thanks to the success of "The Super Mario Bros. Movie", which grossed over 1.36 billion dollars worldwide, the animation studio Illumination now also seems to have taken a fancy to it. According to Hollywood insider DanielRPK, the studio has submitted a pitch to Nintendo describing the creation of a shared Cinematic Universe. Based on initial information, this will include a number of spin-offs and an epic "Super Smash Bros." movie. In "Super Smash Bros.", which first came out in 1999 as a game for the Nintendo 64, you can compete against Nintendo's most popular characters: These include Super Mario, Mega Man, Pikachu and Samus Aran from "Metroid", for example. Marvel's "Avengers", which brought together existing superheroes from the MCU, is to be used as a model. The planned spin-offs could explore which characters have the most potential for a movie of this kind. Jeff Fowler, meanwhile, could possibly be considered for directing. After all, Fowler has repeatedly expressed an interest in producing "Super Smash Bros.", and brings with his "Sonic" movie adaptations the needed experience to the table.

Nevertheless, this initial information should be taken with a grain of salt, as there is still no official confirmation from Nintendo nor Illumination.

Until then, we can look forward to the recently announced "Zelda" live action movie and the not-yet officially announced sequel "Super Mario Bros. 2".