Mario is heading back to the big screen with Nintendo and Illumination officially announcing plans for a Super Mario animated film. Video games have had little luck making it to the big screen, and it all began with a live-action attempt to bring Nintendo's beloved plumber/adventurer to the big screen. The 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie kicked off the so-called video game movie curse and has seen one of gaming's tentpole brands previously steer clear from future movie endeavors.

This video game curse has not stopped other studios from attempting to break it, but so far there hasn't been a film that truly stands out as a great example. All of these attempts have come without Nintendo licensing out their characters to studios, with the company keeping their focus on the games. Nintendo's long list of iconic characters and titles wasn't expected to stay down forever, and the time is finally here for another attempt.

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Nintendo confirmed today that they've agreed to partner with Universal's Illumination Entertainment to make a new movie starring Mario. The film will be animated and not live-action as previously attempted. The as-of-yet untitled Super Mario movie will be co-produced by Mario's creator and co-Representative Director of Nintendo Shigeru Miyamoto, alongside Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri.

Nintendo and Illumination are partnering on a movie starring Mario, co-produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri! pic.twitter.com/wVRPLIzcGJ— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) February 1, 2018

This announcement isn't a complete surprise following reports late last year that Nintendo and Illumination were in talks on such a project. Even now that it is officially announced, there aren't many details to go on. Mario will be the star, but hopefully he'll be far from the only recognizable Nintendo character to appear. Luigi, Bowser, Princess Peach, Yoshi, Wario, Waluigi, and more could all make their way into the film as well, depending on where the story takes Mario.

Thanks to this latest big screen venture for Mario being animated, Nintendo and Illumination should have no trouble recapturing the feel of the video games. Not only can they keep Mario's world look the same, but they will also have the ability to replicate the imaginative worlds he visits and circumstances he finds himself in.

While this announcement is only for the single movie, the possibilities that could come if the film is successful could be great. Super Mario Bros.Super Mario SunshineSuper Mario Galaxy, and the recent Super Mario Odyssey could all be adapted. Nintendo and Illumination wouldn't have to stop there either, and could give Zelda, Donkey Kong, Star Fox, Metroid Prime, and others their own films too. Plus, if they ever wanted to tie it all together, the prospect of Super Smash Bros. could do just that. All of that is quite a ways off at this point (if it ever happens) with this first film taking precedence.

MORE: Super Mario Odyssey Reviews Roundup

Super Mario is in development but does not have a release date. Stay tuned to Screen Rant for further updates!

Source: Nintendo