Nintendo and Universal Plan Donkey Kong Movie

Universal and Nintendo Collaborate on New Donkey Kong Movie – A Sequel to a Legal Saga?

In 1983, Nintendo and Universal engaged in a legal dispute over the rights to the Donkey Kong character, which Universal contended was too similar to its King Kong property. To resolve the conflict, Nintendo’s lawyer, Howard Lincoln, enlisted the aid of attorney John Kirby. As a token of gratitude for his successful defense, Nintendo gifted John Kirby a sailboat named Donkey Kong. Interestingly, the main character in Nintendo’s popular Kirby video game series is named after John Kirby. Decades after that legal resolution, the Donkey Kong character is again at the forefront as Nintendo and Universal Pictures collaborate on a new film. A U.S. copyright filing confirms that Nintendo Studios LLC and Universal Pictures are developing a project with the working title “Untitled Donkey Kong Project Motion Picture.” While an official title and most specific details remain unannounced, the film is anticipated to be released after Nintendo’s next major Mario movie. Some industry observers speculate this could mark the beginning of a broader Nintendo Cinematic Universe.

New Donkey Kong Game Debuts on Nintendo Switch 2 – Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17, 2025)

Complementing the franchise’s cinematic expansion, the Donkey Kong game series is also set for a significant return. A new game titled Donkey Kong Bananza is scheduled to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on July 17, 2025. This release marks the first new installment in the Donkey Kong game series in over a decade.

In Case You Missed It

Exciting news for fans of Nintendo’s iconic characters—Sophie Laurent’s latest piece, “Nintendo and Universal Register Copyright for Donkey Kong Movie,” published on July 14, 2025, reveals that the gaming giant and Universal Pictures have secured a copyright for an upcoming Donkey Kong film. This development hints at a broader cinematic expansion beyond the already announced Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda films. Dive into the details and share your thoughts on what this means for Nintendo’s future in Hollywood (Nintendo and Universal Register Copyright for Donkey Kong Movie). For those interested in the latest developments at Xbox and their impact on beloved gaming studios like Rare, be sure to check out “Xbox: A Historic Shift for This Highly Regarded Studio” by Jonathan Dubinski, published on July 12, 2025. The post delves into the recent departures of key figures such as Gregg Mayles and Louise O’Connor, alongside cancelled projects like Everwild, signaling a period of significant change within Xbox’s creative landscape. Despite these challenges, Xbox remains committed to its vision for dream-worthy games and flagship franchises. Dive deeper into this pivotal moment in gaming history Xbox: A Historic Shift for This Highly Regarded Studio. For fans of PlayStation exclusives and those who enjoy the endless excitement of new game content, be sure to check out Bruno Pferd’s latest piece on “Astro Bot Gets Free New Levels” (published July 12, 2025), where he delves into the recent free update for Astro Bot. This update not only includes five brand-new levels but also introduces special bots from other beloved PlayStation games, adding even more depth to this already impressive title. Don’t miss out on all the details and head over to Astro Bot Gets Free New Levels for a full breakdown of what’s new in Astro Bot!