Nintendo's Next Movie: Star Fox Soars Over Donkey Kong?

Nintendo's successful foray into film, marked by the billion-dollar Super Mario Bros. movie, is expected to continue with a Legend of Zelda adaptation. However, a compelling argument suggests that Star Fox, not Donkey Kong, should be the franchise to receive the next cinematic treatment. This viewpoint stems from the perceived lack of depth in Donkey Kong's characters and plotlines, often revolving around retrieving stolen bananas.

While Donkey Kong is a recognizable name, its recent performance, such as the 4.5 million copies sold of Donkey Kong Bananza since its release last July, indicates a less fervent audience than some might assume. This figure contrasts sharply with the over 12 million copies of Super Mario Odyssey sold in its first year on the original Switch, and over 8 million for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Therefore, a Donkey Kong film might not capitalize on the broad appeal Nintendo seeks.

Conversely, the Star Fox universe, featuring characters like Fox McCloud, Peppy, Slippy, and Falco, is highlighted as having more potential for cinematic storytelling. Their brief but well-received appearances in the Super Mario Bros. movie support the idea that these characters are inherently more interesting and deserving of dedicated screen time to 'shine,' making Star Fox a more promising candidate for Nintendo's future film endeavors.