- Nintendo and Universal have officially signed a Donkey Kong movie project.
- There are no confirmed details regarding the format, cast, or release date.
- The initiative coincides with a new phase of popularity for the character, reinforced by Donkey Kong Bananza and the Universal theme park.
- It is speculated that the film will follow the upcoming Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda films.
Universal Pictures and Nintendo have taken a significant step that could change the landscape of animation and video games in the cinema. After a period of rumors and leaks, the copyright registration which points to the development of a film centered on the well-known Donkey Kong, although there is no official announcement about the project yet.
The news has come at a time when the relevance of Donkey Kong It is growing both in the world of digital entertainment and in live experiences., especially due to the recent launch of Donkey Kong Bananza for Nintendo Switch 2 and the opening of a dedicated themed area at Universal parks. All of this has contributed to putting the friendly gorilla back on everyone's lips.
The record that confirms everything
The basis of this information is a registration made with the United States Copyright Office on June 6, 2025. In it, Nintendo Studios LLC y Universal City Studios are listed as parties involved in a "short-term license" that allows the production of a film under the working title “Untitled Donkey Kong Project; Motion picture”The agreement includes the transfer of Nintendo's image rights and intellectual property for cinematographic purposes only.
Although no details have been revealed about the format and nature of the project, possibilities are being considered ranging from a promotional short film to an animated production for the big screen. Casting, directors, and release dates are still unknown, leaving fans waiting for official statements from the companies.
The context: an expanding universe
The move comes just as Nintendo and Universal are enjoying the success of Super Mario Bros: The Movie, which in 2023 became one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations, with over $1.360 billion raised. Building on this momentum, both companies have the sequel to Super Mario Bros. by April 2026 and a film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda scheduled for 2027.
Nintendo's own president, Shuntaro Furukawa, has stated that the company is working on various audiovisual projects Beyond video games. While no specific details have been given, the leaked Donkey Kong movie footage is fueling rumors about the creation of a Nintendo cinematic universe similar to Marvel or Star Wars.
The collaboration between Nintendo and Universal extends beyond film to theme parks, where Donkey Kong now has his own attraction, consolidating the strategy of expanding its most iconic characters to new formats and audiences.
What to expect now?
Aside from the enthusiasm on social media, the truth is that neither company has offered a official confirmation No announcement has been made about the film. Based on the experience of previous productions, it will likely take several years between this initial recording and the official announcement or world premiere.
For example, the Super Mario Bros. movie was announced in 2019, its production began in 2020 and it was released in 2023. With this in mind, and considering that the Mario sequel and the Zelda movie already have dates set, it is expected that Donkey Kong could debut in theaters as early as 2028., although there is no confirmed schedule yet.
These movements do not guarantee the final realization of the project, but they show a Nintendo's clear strategy to expand its franchises beyond consoles. For now, we'll have to wait for future announcements to learn more details about the plot, the team involved, or the tone of the film, which will likely be animated given the previous experience with Super Mario.
The possibility of a Donkey Kong movie is increasing interest in the character, which has been reinvigorated by his new adventures on Switch and his growing presence in the Nintendo universe. Although many unknowns remain, anticipation is high for the gorilla's first solo foray onto the big screen.
