Universal And Nintendo Are Bringing MARIO BROS. Back To The Big Screen

Once upon a time, Nintendo decided to roll the dice on a big-budget Hollywood adaptation of Super Mario Bros., and the results were so hilariously disastrous that they swore off movies forever. That was all the way back in 1993, though, and nothing lasts forever.

Case in point: according to the Wall Street Journal, Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment are close to signing a deal with Nintendo to bring the beloved Mario Bros. back to theaters, in an animated film that will not feature any shrunken-headed Goombas, mechanical boots, or coked-up Dennis Hoppers. Allegedly.

Illumination, as you know, is the company behind such animated hits as Despicable Me and Minions, so they've got a strong record in terms of delivering family-friendly hits. Getting in bed with those folks is probably a smart move, and it doesn't hurt that Universal's in the process of launching Mario-themed amusement parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Osaka, Japan (the Osaka location is coming along nicely, and looks like the perfect place to walk around in while under the influence of powerful hallucinogenics).

There's nothing further to report at this time, but we'll keep you informed as updates roll in.