The Super Mario Galaxy Movie has been a massive success in spite of its so-so critical reception, and the live-action Legend of Zelda adaptation is making good progress. But if a succession of recent reports are to be believed, there’s a busy few years ahead in the world of Nintendo films, with Universal and Illumination seemingly set to release a new animated movie in 2028. That news comes amid suggestions a previously reported live-action Metroid might soon get the green light.
First, that 2028 movie. Universal Pictures’ Spanish release calendar has just revealed an “Untitled Illumination/Nintendo Event Film” is scheduled for April 2028. This lines up with copyright filings made last year suggesting an animated Donkey Kong spinoff movie was real and coming in 2028.
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond trailer.Watch on YouTube
Mounting evidence that Donkey Kong is the next Nintendo character to hit movie screens follows recent claims by industry insider MyTimeToShineHello outlining a so-called “Nintendo Cinematic Universe”. This is reported to include a Star Fox movie – perhaps with Glen Powell on board following his Super Mario Galaxy Movie cameo – targeting a 2030 release, alongside films based on Kirby and even Luigi’s Mansion. Furthermore, they say a Super Smash Bros. adaptation may happen a few years from now.
But what of Metroid? Last December, Hollywood insider V Scooper claimed Universal was into the idea of making a live-action sci-fi horror movie with a more family-friendly tone, which totally sounds like the right approach for a live-action adaptation of Metroid if you ask me. Fast-forward to April 2026 and V Scooper is back with an update, saying Sony Pictures (the studio behind The Legend of Zelda film) and Universal Pictures (Illumination’s Super Mario flicks) are fighting over the Metroid rights with live-action pitches. There’s also mention of a potential Pikmin movie Nintendo is keen on making, but it’s “been struggling to lock ideas for years” and might take a while to coalesce.
While both insiders have landed several hits in the past regarding high-profile franchises, it must be noted they’ve also had misses. Then again, Hollywood studios are known for quickly picking up and dropping project ideas, especially when big franchises are involved; certain “leaks” are quite often real but based on outdated information. For now, take all this with a grain of salt until the established trades elaborate on what’s actually happening.