Nintendo and Universal are at it again: after 2023’s Super Mario animation made thunderous success, a new trademark suggests that the partnership’s next project might be a Donkey Kong Movie. And since the big gorilla’s next game is already on our GOTY list of possibilities, a movie project with his hairy face might also be a much-desired surprise.
And, as rumors go, this one is still very fresh, so information about it is very, very light on details. In fact, there’s not even a confirmation of the damn thing being in the works.
However, Nintendo has stated its intention to expand its IPs reach on other media, and since we know there’s a live-action Zelda movie due to May 2027 only, it stands to reason that this rumor might be the real deal. So here are our predictions of how a Donkey Kong movie—if, in fact, it does exist—might go.
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What would the perfect Donkey Kong movie be like?
- It’ll be connected to 2023’s Super Mario
- Star-studded voice cast and character focus
- Narrative and world-building
- Final thoughts: “It is on… like Donkey Kong!”
It’ll be connected to 2023’s Super Mario
If you watched the Super Mario movie in 2023, one thing you probably noticed is that Kongs Island, the great ape’s realm within that movie’s world, was well crafted but loosely introduced. That’s because Donkey Kong & co. were already established characters within the animation’s lore and, therefore, their character development could follow a more free-flowing narrative.
Judging by that, a Donkey Kong movie has two options: either it capitalizes on that and follows a plot that takes place after Super Mario’s, or before it. And the second one might be interesting, as it will allow Nintendo to build on the character’s origins, maybe have a little easter egg or three on their first outing in gaming (if you remember, Mario’s first appearance was in a Donkey Kong title in the 80s).
The point is, this movie will serve as a significant expansion of Nintendo’s cinematic universe, building upon The Super Mario Bros. movie by bringing much welcome and subtle connections with the larger universe that Nintendo IP’s can bring. And if the company is successful, who knows? This just might be the groundwork for several sequels for both brands.
Star-Studded Voice Cast and Character Focus
As cast choices go, Nintendo would do well to maintain Super Mario Bros. original cast in a Donkey Kong movie: after all,if we are discussing from a “connected universe” standpoint, changing lead actors now would be weird, to say the least.
So that means the always entertaining Seth Rogen is highly anticipated to reprise his role as Donkey Kong, given his previous portrayal and expressed interest in a spin-off. The movie is also expected to give the same treatment as its own ensemble of characters: can you imagine a Funky Kong played by Samuel L. Jackson (not too hard to see it, honestly: if he channels in a PG-13 version of Afro Samurai’s Ninja Ninja, he just might pull it off)?
Furthermore, characters like Cranky Kong, Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong are pretty much a given to appear as well, but besides Ferd Armisen’s Cranky, it’s kinda hard to vouch for Diddy’s Eric Bauza (he literally had less than 10 words in a small cameo) and Dixie, who had no lines of dialog. Still, this gives Nintendo ample room of opportunity to shine with newer, better stuff.
Narrative and World-Building
The most probable storyline will adapt the Donkey Kong Country premise, focusing on Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong’s quest to reclaim their stolen banana hoard from King K. Rool and his Kremling army. In doing so, not only Nintendo will be able to easily establish the character’s origins and lore, but also tug at the heartstrings of SNES original Donkey Kong Country players—if you watched Super Mario Bros., you know that movie is LOUSY with nostalgia. Why change something that works so well?
Nah, Nintendo will probably play it safe. Given how the company is extremely conservative of its own franchises, a Donkey Kong movie would probably take the easiest route so it would give screenwriters more room to play on the narrative.
Final thoughts: “It is on… like Donkey Kong!”
Nintendo is dead serious with its intention of branching out its franchises. Quite frankly, I’d wager it’s the one gaming company that is doing it very well: instead to a play-by-ear approach, it chose to ally itself with a reputable movie brand—Universal Studios—as well as electing itself to maintain creative control.
Within the Mario movie, the plumber’s creator and longtime Nintendo director, Shigeru Miyamoto, was heavily involved to make sure everything went just right. There’s no reason to believe he won’t be as close with this project as well.
Either way, a Donkey Kong movie is poised to make Nintendo shine on the spotlight of Hollywood once again.
