Nintendo's next animated feature has a release date. Universal confirmed an "Untitled Illumination/Nintendo event film" will arrive on April 12, 2028, marking the studio's return to the big screen after the Super Mario Galaxy Movie wraps up its theatrical run.
The timing aligns with long-running speculation that Nintendo is developing a Donkey Kong spinoff. The character's notable absence from Super Mario Galaxy Movie had fueled fan theories about a standalone project. If that's the case, Seth Rogen would likely reprise his voice role from the earlier Mario films.
This April 2028 release fits into a larger slate of Nintendo adaptations. The live-action Legend of Zelda film recently completed production in New Zealand and is scheduled for 2027. Meanwhile, Jack Black has hinted he may return as Bowser for a third Mario animated installment in 2029, though nothing is official.
A Donkey Kong movie would give fans their first chance to see the character as a lead in the cinematic universe. Previous appearances from other Kong family members like Diddy and Dixie were confined to brief cameos. A spinoff could explore the jungle kingdom more fully and introduce other classic characters from the video game series.
Whether the film draws from Donkey Kong Country storylines, reimagines his origins, or charts entirely new ground remains unclear. The Super Mario Bros. Movie franchise has proven willing to expand the Mario universe with fresh takes, so multiple directions are possible for this untitled project.
Author Emily Chen: "If Illumination can make audiences care about a talking plumber and his turtle nemesis, a Donkey Kong vehicle could absolutely work, but only if they commit to the character's chaotic charm rather than just plugging him into another Mario formula."
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