Nintendo Establishes “Nintendo Stars” Subsidiary to Spearhead Game IP Film Adaptations

Nintendo officially announced on August 27 that it has restructured its recently acquired subsidiary WarpStar, renaming it Nintendo Stars. The new wholly-owned company will take full charge of Nintendo’s game and IP-based film adaptation business, signaling the company’s accelerated push into the entertainment industry.

A Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Based in Tokyo

According to Nintendo’s press release, Nintendo Stars is headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Its business scope includes film operations, IP licensing, and management, while also continuing WarpStar’s long-standing responsibility of managing and licensing the Kirby franchise.

Nintendo emphasized that by leveraging Nintendo Stars’ expertise, it aims to establish a more comprehensive IP-to-film strategy, bringing beloved characters from the console to the big screen, and expanding their global cultural impact.

Two Major Films Already Scheduled

The announcement also confirmed the release dates for two highly anticipated films:

• “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” Sequel: April 3, 2026
• “The Legend of Zelda” Live-Action Film: May 7, 2027

This follows the success of the 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed over USD 1.3 billion worldwide, proving the massive potential of Nintendo’s IP in cinema.

From WarpStar to Nintendo Stars

As noted by media outlet Tweak Town, WarpStar previously focused solely on licensing the Kirby franchise. With its rebranding, Nintendo Stars now takes on a much broader mission — overseeing film adaptations of other top franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon.

Industry observers interpret this move as Nintendo’s ambition to no longer rely exclusively on external partnerships, but instead build its own film ecosystem, deeply participating in production and distribution to further maximize the commercial value and cultural influence of its IPs.

📌 Conclusion
The establishment of Nintendo Stars marks Nintendo’s official entry into a new era of “Games × Films.” With the upcoming Mario sequel and the live-action Zelda film, Nintendo is positioning itself to become one of the most competitive players in the global game-to-film adaptation arena.