Nintendo Eyes Expansion Into Film Business Nintendo's president, Tatsumi Kimishima, says the company is in talks with several global production companies.

By Reuters

This story originally appeared on Reuters

Bloomberg | Getty Images

Movies like Mario Kart and The Legend of Zelda could soon be coming to a theater near you.

Nintendo Co. Ltd. is in talks with several global production companies about expanding its video content business, including making movies, said Tatsumi Kimishima, president of the Japanese videogame maker.

The move is aimed at strengthening Nintendo's character business and expanding the global gaming population, he told the Asahi newspaper in an interview published Monday.

"We're talking with various partners. I think we'll be able to decide something in the not-too-distant future," Kimishima told the Japanese daily.

Kimishima declined to say when any projects would be announced but said it would not be as far off as five years. He would not say which of Nintendo's popular characters were being considered for use.

A Nintendo spokesman told Reuters that Kimishima's comments referred to "video content" but did not deny the possibility of making movies.

Nintendo is diversifying its operations to counter a shrinking console business. It has entered the fast-growing mobile game segment and reached a deal with NBCUniversal to develop theme-park attractions.

In fact, Nintendo already allows film companies to use its characters through licensing agreements, such as for the Pokemon franchise. There was also a Hollywood live-action movie based on Super Mario in 1993 but it was a box office and critical bomb.

But Kimishima told the Asahi that this time, Nintendo would like to do things itself as much as possible, rather than just licensing out its content, and said it was unlikely to be live-action.

In 2014, Super Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto screened a 3-D short-animation film based on Nintendo's Pikmin characters at the Tokyo International Film Festival, and in an interview with Reuters left the door open to future film projects.

(Reporting by Chris Gallagher; Additional reporting by Yoshiyasu Shida and Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Kim Coghill)

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

The 5 Fears Every Entrepreneur Must Face — and Overcome

Entrepreneurship is full of fears, from failure to success. This article explores the five common fears entrepreneurs face and offers practical strategies to overcome them, turning obstacles into opportunities.

Business News

These Are the 10 Highest-Paying Jobs With the Lowest Stress, According to a New Report

From astronomer to geographer, these jobs will reportedly offer the highest paychecks with the least amount of stress in 2025.

Side Hustle

This 24-Year-Old's Creative Side Hustle Surpassed $1 Million in Sales: 'Definitely Doing Something Right'

Content creator and actor Alyssa McKay saw the perfect opportunity to innovate.

Debt / Loans / Refinancing

Struggling with Startup Finances? These Innovative Payment Solutions Will Save You

Cash flow delays, manual invoices and missed discounts can drain your startup's time and resources. Switching to an innovative payment process removes these roadblocks, helping your business grow faster and stay agile.