Mario is already one of the best-known characters in the world thanks to the massive success of the Super Mario games over the last three decades. But soon, even more people may learn about Mario and his friends as Nintendo is reportedly in talks to create a new Super Mario movie.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Nintendo is close to completing a deal with Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment regarding an animated Super Mario Bros. movie. Sources tell the publication that these talks have been ongoing for over a year. The film is in the "early stages of development" and will not be released for "several years."

Illumination Entertainment is best known for creating the Despicable Me and Minions movie franchises. Meanwhile, Universal Pictures is the studio behind massive hits such as Jurassic Park,  Jaws, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Collectively, these films have made billions of dollars across the globe.

However, despite the companies' experience in the industry, the "most complicated issue" in the deal is how involved Nintendo will be in the creative process. Nintendo is eager to have a role in creating the Super Mario Bros. movie and series creator Shigeru Miyamoto is reportedly set to be a co-producer on the film.

Nintendo's hesitancy is understandable given that the last movie based on Super Mario Bros. was a critical and financial dud (though it did eventually become a cult classic). 1993's Super Mario Brothers starred Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo as Mario and Luigi as they took on King Koopa and tried to save the world.

Despite having a $50 million budget, the film made just $20 million at the box office and was criticized for lacking the charm of the video games. But hopefully, with Miyamoto's inclusion, this new animated Super Mario Bros. movie will avoid the same mistakes.

As always, it's important to stress that the report cites unnamed sources and therefore must be taken with a grain of salt. Though with that said, the report does make some sense. Nintendo has previously expressed its desire to make movies, as just last year the company said that it would like to release a film within the next three years. This Super Mario Bros. movie would be in line with that timeframe.

Moreover, Nintendo has an existing relationship with Universal Pictures as Nintendo-themed rides are coming to Universal Studios parks. If Nintendo trusts Universal to create rides based on its game worlds, then perhaps it trusts the company to make an entire movie based on one of them, too.

Spokespeople for Illumination and Nintendo declined to comment on the report and it's unclear when a formal announcement may be made. A Super Mario Bros. movie would be exciting though, so watch this space.

Source: Wall Street Journal