Between the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie and the continuing success of the Sonic the Hedgehog adaptations, it's beginning to seem more likely that Nintendo could find itself announcing a Super Smash Bros. cinematic universe is underway. While the idea of a broad, crossover film universe isn't new, the success of Marvel's Avengers film has caused every major player in the entertainment scene to try and set up their own properties. While DC Comics is the obvious example, other odd instances exist like Universal Pictures' Dark Universe or The Conjuring's extended universe.
Recent video game movie adaptations have seen increasing success, despite a rough history of previous attempts. Not only does Nintendo have its upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie, it also has several animated and even live-action Pokemon movies to draw from, as well as a longstanding relationship with Sega to negotiate Sonic's involvement. With this in mind, Nintendo has the potential to create its own movie universe to rival competitors like the MCU through a Super Smash Bros. Cinematic Universe.
Nintendo's Growing Interest in Movie Adaptations
While the Super Mario Bros. Movie will be its "first," Nintendo has already confirmed plans to gradually expand into film with other flagship franchises in various interviews and copyrights for future movies. Provided Super Mario's new adventure on the big screen is more successful than its live-action attempt in 1993, this could prove to be more than just a single lucrative project for Nintendo. Beyond Super Mario, many fans are hoping that the likes of The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Fire Emblem will receive the same treatment.
Though it might take time, it seems inevitable that Nintendo could reach a point where it has multiple gaming franchises with movie adaptations, and as a result it will have its own cinematic universe - official or not. It seems unlikely that Nintendo would not try and capitalize on this when Super Smash Bros. is as prominent and popular as Super Mario or The Legend of Zelda. Super Smash Bros. easily compares to the Avengers or Justice League, in that all bring together distinctive characters for one team effort.
Super Smash Bros. is More than Mario and Sonic
The start of a Super Smash Bros. Cinematic Universe already has a strong foundation, with Sonic the Hedgehog confirming its third live-action installment and the Super Mario Bros. Movie set to release in 2023. Arguably, these two franchises alone represent a core part of gaming history that many fans can relate to, standing in as the mascots of Sega and Nintendo, respectively. Though the two companies would need to negotiate how they would share property rights for a Super Smash Bros. film, it remains possible since they've already set a working partnership for the games.
While this covers a significant number of characters across the game's roster, including Princess Peach, Bowser, or Luigi appearing in the Super Mario Bros. Movie, the two franchises alone might not be enough to kickstart a Super Smash Bros. movie. Several other movie adaptations would hopefully have been introduced to expand the roster, possibly drawing from pre-existing films and then using the crossover to reveal future projects. For example, Detective Pikachu could provide its titular lead instead of restarting a Pokemon film series, while Nintendo could tease future Fire Emblem projects given many characters already appear in Super Smash Bros.