Nintendo’s history with film has been rocky ever since the release of theSuper Mario Brosfilm in 1993, which has come to be regarded by many as one of the worst video game adaptations of all time. This perhaps stoppedNintendofrom licensing its intellectual property for films ever since its release. However now, the company is taking steps to return its properties to the big screen, and it has just announced the acquisition of film studio Dynamo Pictures, soon to be known as Nintendo Pictures.
The release of theSuper Mario Brosmovie in 1993, directed by Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel, was met with widespread negative response from both audiences and critics, with many feeling the film failed to respectfully adapt the video game series.Mariocreator Shigeru Miyamoto even commented on this once in an interview, claiming the film spent more time referencing the game than actually being an entertaining film itself. This sparked Miyamoto to begin talks withDespicable Mestudio Illumination in 2016, renewing interest in an animatedSuper Mario Brosmovie that is now in production and will release in April 2023. Miyamoto will serve as a producer for the film.
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With renewed interest in film and TV adaptations of its IPs, it seems Nintendo has made preparations tobegin work on more projects like the upcomingMariomovie. One of these might begin with building an internal film studio, at least if its newest acquisition of Dynamo Pictures is anything to go off. NIntendo announced the acquisition of the Japanese CG production company today, which it will rebrand as Nintendo Pictures when the deal closes in October. Nintendo previously worked with Dynamo on thePikmin Short Moviesseries, and the studio assisted in the development ofMetroid Other M.
Outside of its work with Nintendo, Dynamo Pictures has assisted with various film and TV projects in Japan, including the likes of the recently releasedDragon Ball Super: Super Hero,Netflix’sResident Evil: Infinite Darkness, andKingsglave: Final Fantasy 15.
While it’s easy to assume that the newly formed Nintendo Pictures will focus primarily on adapting Nintendo IPs to TV and film media, it’s also possible that Nintendo is acquiring Dynamo Pictures to strengthen its CG work for both its games and marketing. Many publishers have internal studios dedicated primarily to CG animation, such as Square Enix’s Image Studio Division, which has created cutscenes for games such asKingdom Hearts 3,Final Fantasy 7 Remake, andShadow of the Tomb Raider,alongsidemajor film projects likeFinal Fantasy 7: Advent Childrenand the previously mentionedKingsglaive: Final Fantasy 15.
