A line from The Super Mario Bros. trailer. Movie sets up a Nintendo cinematic universe that may include franchises like The Legend of Zelda.
A detail from the trailer of the movie The Super Mario Bros. explains how The Legend of Zelda and other Nintendo movies could happen. Given the massive size of Nintendo’s character catalog, it’s not impossible that more of their franchises will end up with big screen adaptations. Mario is arguably Nintendo’s biggest property, but he’s obviously not the only protagonist in its library that could headline its own movie.
Apparently, Nintendo and Illumination already have plans to combine two of their franchises into one in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The worlds of Mario and Donkey Kong Country are confirmed to collide during the battle with Bowser. But since the two debuted together in 1981’s Donkey Kong before being taken in different directions, the decision makes sense. Depending on the movie’s performance at the box office, there’s a chance Nintendo will take even more chances with its heroes by giving them their own movies. But given how different Mario is from the other franchises, the movies may not exist in the same canon as The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
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The trailer for Super Mario Bros. sets up a Nintendo cinematic universe
Interestingly, a revelation in the trailer for the movie The Super Mario Bros. it makes it possible for stories like The Legend of Zelda to work in Mario’s world. At one point, Princess Peach mentions the various “galaxies” that are at risk in the film. On the surface, it looks like a reference to Super Mario Galaxy, but the commentary goes beyond that. It opens the door to a fully realized Nintendo movie universe where each of the “galaxies” houses a world from another video game franchise. This allows characters like Mario and Link to share the same universe, even if their worlds remain separate.
If this is true, the movie The Super Mario Bros. Nintendo would have the tools it needs to feature surprise cameos from some unexpected heroes and villains. Possibly, in a post-credits scene, the movie could find ways to tease Link’s existence, thus setting the stage for a Legend of Zelda movie to happen later on. And since they would coexist, there should be room for interbreeding if that opportunity ever presented itself.
Nintendo Franchises That Could Get Movies After Super Mario Bros.
In addition to The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo has several franchises that could occupy the “galaxies” raised by Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. There’s also Pokemon, Kirby, Metroid and Star Fox. Movies focusing on Kirby, Samus from Metroid, and Fox McCloud have never been made before, but all three certainly have the potential for standalone movies adjacent to Mario and Luigi’s story. The unique worlds they inhabit and the accompanying cast of characters could help Nintendo and Illumination build a thriving cinematic universe for a host of iconic video game heroes.
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