Nintendo Registers Donkey Kong Film Copyright Amid Rising Popularity
▼ Summary
– Nintendo and Universal Pictures have registered a copyright for a Donkey Kong film, indicating it may follow the Mario sequel and Zelda movie.
– Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed the company is working on multiple visual content projects beyond Zelda but provided no further details.
– Donkey Kong is currently a focus for Nintendo, appearing in the Mario movie, theme parks, and a new Switch 2 game, Donkey Kong Bananza.
– The Mario sequel is set for April 2026, Zelda for March 2027, and a Donkey Kong film could follow in Spring 2028 based on the release pattern.
– Donkey Kong Bananza, developed by the Mario Odyssey team, has received praise for its attention to the character’s history and energetic gameplay.
Nintendo has officially filed a copyright for a Donkey Kong movie, signaling plans to expand its cinematic universe beyond the upcoming Mario sequel and Legend of Zelda adaptation. While specifics remain under wraps, the move aligns with recent comments from Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa about the company’s growing focus on visual media.
During an investor call, Furukawa emphasized Nintendo’s long-term strategy to explore projects outside gaming platforms. “We’ve been deeply involved in production for years,” he stated, though he declined to reveal details beyond the confirmed Zelda film. The Donkey Kong copyright filing strongly suggests the iconic ape will headline the next Nintendo cinematic venture.
The timing couldn’t be better. Donkey Kong’s popularity is surging, thanks to his standout role in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, where Seth Rogen brought the character to life. With a sequel tentatively titled Super Mario World already in the works, the gorilla’s return seems inevitable. Beyond films, Nintendo has integrated Donkey Kong into its theme park expansions, with Donkey Kong Country joining the Super Nintendo World attractions.
Gaming fans also have reason to celebrate. The newly announced Donkey Kong Bananza, developed by the team behind Super Mario Odyssey, launches alongside Nintendo’s next-gen console, the Switch 2. Early previews, including Eurogamer’s hands-on impressions, praise the game for honoring the franchise’s legacy while injecting fresh energy.
With Super Mario Bros. 2 slated for April 2026 and The Legend of Zelda delayed to March 2027, speculation points to a potential Donkey Kong film release in spring 2028. Nintendo’s multi-platform push underscores its commitment to turning beloved characters into cross-media franchises—and Donkey Kong is clearly next in line.
(Source: EUROGAMER)
