Untitled animated Mario film

The untitled animated film based on the Mario video game series by Nintendo is an upcoming American-Japanese computer-animated film produced by Illumination, in co-production with Nintendo, and distributed by Universal Pictures.

Production
In December 2014, it was confirmed that Sony Pictures had made a deal with Nintendo to create an animated remake film based on the Mario franchise, but the project never went into production.

In November 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported that Nintendo would be teaming up with Universal Pictures and Illumination to make an animated Mario film. However in January 2018, Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima stated that a deal has not been finalized, but that an announcement will come soon. Kimishima hopes that if the deal is successful, a 2020 release date would be possible. By the end of the month, Nintendo announced that the movie will be made with Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri co-producing.

According to Miyamoto, he knew that the process of making a film was far different from that of making a video game, and wanted a film expert to lead the effort. In Nintendo's work with Universal Parks & Resorts to create Mario-based attractions, Miyamoto had met Meledandri, and they had several discussions. Miyamoto found Meledandri's creative process similar to his own, and felt he would be the proper lead for a Mario film. They had started more earnest discussions of the film as early as 2016, knowing that if they felt it wasn't working that they could easily walk away. However, by the time of the official announcement, Miyamoto said that they have good discussions over the screenplay and feels good progress to a proper film. Meledandri stated that the film was a "priority" for Illumination and that it will most likely come out in 2022. He added that Miyamoto will be "front in center" with creating the movie.

The film will be animated by Illumination Mac Guff.

Release
In November 2018, Meledandri said that the Mario film would likely be released in 2022. The film had the potential to be released on July 1 or December 21, 2022, dates Illumination has reserved for untitled films, and in particular was considered likely to be released on either of the July or December dates. In May 2019, as Universal and Illumination set Nepola for July 1, 2022, the Mario film would likely be set for December 21, 2022.