'Super Mario' movie release date, latest news: Movie in development with Illumination Entertainment

A promotional image for "Super Mario Odyssey" for Nintendo SwitchFacebook/Super Mario

Not many people would say that they liked the last live-action "Super Mario" movie. With an agreement made with animation studio Illumination Entertainment, it looks like there will be another "Super Mario" film. This time, it obviously would no longer be a live-action one.

According to Gizmodo, the two companies have, apparently, been trying to reach an agreement for almost a year now. Nintendo seems to have been able to convince them finally. It does not come much of a surprise anymore, knowing that Universal, the one responsible for financing Illumination's movies, has also partnered with Nintendo themselves for other numerous projects.

"Super Mario" is one of the most popular games that many have grown up with. Nintendo has sold over 330 million units of different "Super Mario" titles and its spinoffs, as reported by Variety. Naturally, people would expect a lot if it were turned into a movie. While Nintendo found success in turning their early Pokemon games into a cartoon series and then to movies, the 1993 "Super Mario" movie did poorly in the box office.

While a lot of doubt still looms in with Nintendo making movies for "Super Mario," it does help ease fans a bit that Illumination Entertainment will be the ones making the movie. Illumination has released several popular movies such as the "Despicable Me" movies, its spinoff "Minions," and "The Secret Life of Pets."

It was also reported that this new "Super Mario" movie is still in its early stages of development. That said, it may take a few more years before anyone sees anything about it.

Movies inspired by video games have had mixed reactions from gamers. Sony's "Angry Birds" did not do as poorly as the 1993 "Super Mario," but it did well enough to get a sequel for 2019. Live-action movies "Assassin's Creed" and "Warcraft" performed strongly in some areas as well.