After The Super Mario Bros. Movie smashed global box office records, Nintendo is officially shaking things up! The company has announced a major restructuring and rebranding of its film and television division, now known as "Nintendo Stars." This new powerhouse will be solely dedicated to bringing Nintendo's beloved characters and intellectual properties to the big screen. It's a clear signal of Nintendo's ambition to expand its entertainment empire, making film and TV adaptations a core strategic pillar moving forward. 
"Nintendo Stars" isn't entirely new; it evolved from Warpstar, a company originally co-founded in 2001 by Nintendo and Kirby developer HAL Laboratory. Warpstar's initial mission was to push Kirby beyond gaming, famously producing the long-running, 100-episode Kirby anime series.
Earlier this year, Nintendo acquired HAL's remaining shares, transforming the division into a wholly-owned subsidiary. This move was a strategic prelude to even bigger cinematic plans. 
Currently, Nintendo has two major film projects confirmed and in the pipeline: a sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, slated for release on April 3, 2026, and a live-action The Legend of Zelda film, set to hit theaters on May 7, 2027.
Interestingly, despite the Mario sequel being just months away, Nintendo is keeping details tightly under wraps. However, with Mario's 40th anniversary approaching and rumors swirling about a potential major Nintendo Direct presentation in September 2025, fans might just get a sneak peek sooner rather than later.
The future is ripe with possibilities, sparking fan speculation about what's next. Could we see a Metroid adaptation in the vein of an "Alien"-style sci-fi thriller? Or perhaps a romantic comedy inspired by Animal Crossing? The long-rumored Donkey Kong spin-off also has a strong chance of becoming a reality.
Beyond new film and TV projects, Nintendo has confirmed that Nintendo Stars will continue to manage Kirby's licensing business, potentially hinting at a revival of the beloved Kirby anime series.
It's important to note that "Nintendo Stars" is distinct from Nintendo Pictures. The latter is Nintendo's dedicated animation and motion capture studio, which has contributed to various games and CGI projects, including parts of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
via： IGN