It's been years since Nintendo attempted to adapt one of its titles to the big screen. Indeed, the largely unsuccessful '90s movie adaptation of Super Mario Bros. all but definitively put a nail in the coffin of Nintendo's live-action movie adaptations. While Nintendo has focused on its games and consoles during the past years, it seems like the Japanese gaming giant is once more exploring the possibility of adapting one of its popular franchises to the big screen.

In a recent interview with Asahi News, a Japanese publication, Tatsumi Kimishima, Nintendo's current president, dropped some hints about Nintendo's possible return to the live-action movie adaptation business. Specifically, the Nintendo president hinted at the firm pursuing a "picture" business, which would be regarded as the gaming giant's latest venture.

When asked if the "picture" business referred to the firm's return to live-action movies, Kimishima elaborated on his statement further.

"Movies are representative, but it's also making videos and releasing them in various countries and whatnot. It's various businesses. Now, we're talking to various partners. In the not too distant future, I'd like to get some sort of form ironed out," he said.

Though the Super Mario Bros. movie is currently considered as a cult classic, it was nonetheless a very clear example of how video game movies were not supposed to be made. Far from the source material and with changes that made the movie almost unrecognizable from the beloved video game, the Super Mario Bros. film failed to endear itself to the game's massive fanbase.

In order to avoid such a thing from happening again, the Nintendo president has stated that the firm would be more hands-on in its future projects, especially among adaptations of its popular titles.

"This time, rather than licensing, our current thinking is that we'd like to do as much as we can ourselves," he said.

As for the particular title that Nintendo would pursue, Kimishima admitted that an adaptation of The Legend of Zelda would be an interesting venture for the company.

"We're certainly aware that there is an immense demand for that one," he said.

Indeed, among Nintendo's massive lineup of games old and new, The Legend of Zelda is one which would translate pretty well to the big screen, provided that the production remains faithful to the game, of course. In fact, rumors have already emerged about a possible Legend of Zelda TV series being in the works.

With Nintendo fully onboard the adaptations, fans could at least rest assure that their beloved titles would be treated with respect. 

Tags: nintendo nintendo news nintendo rumors live-action adaptations legend of zelda