Nintendo is looking to work with production studios to make movies based on their beloved franchises according to an Asahi Shimbun interview with Tatsumi Kimishima that was translated by Twitter user Kyle McLain.

According to Kyle's translation, Nintendo is intending to have its first movie out in 2-3 years and are looking to do "as much as we can ourselves", suggesting that while they are working with others they are keen to be hands-on.

Nintendo has expressed an interest in diversifying their portfolio and licensing their popular franchises in new ways.  Their first major attempt has been mobile, with the recently released Miitomo and upcoming Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem mobile games.

Of course Nintendo is no stranger to the film business.  It released a Super Mario movie in 1993 that was notoriously not like the games and Kimishima states that that movie is why they are looking at animated movies instead.

In recent years they have released short animated films based on Pikmin, Animal Crossing and more recently Star Fox Zero and it seems they are keen to do more.  The Pokémon films have of course been released annually for some time now as well, but it seems we might soon see Mario on the big screen soon and while Zelda won't be heading to Netflix it might end up existing in another capacity.

Other companies have begun to turn their popular franchises into films recently.  A live action Assassins Creed film is due out in cinemas later this year, while the Angry Birds Movie recently hit cinemas and has been a big success.  Ratchet & Clank was also recently released and Sega announced some time ago they are working on a Sonic movie so it seems like Nintendo will have plenty of cinematic competition.

Let us know what Nintendo films you'd love to see in the comments section below.