“It’s Kind of a Naive Way of Thinking”- Mario Creator Shigeru Miyamoto Reveals the Antidote of the Video Game Movie Curse

Video game movie adaptations have had a questionable reputation for a long time. As before, popular Gaming IPs were adapted to the silver screen, with a flimsy plot, obvious references, and without any passion or respect for the source material, produced just to cash in the loyal fans of the IP. However, movies like Mario seemingly have helped change that sentiment. 

Modern gaming adaptations such as League of Legends Arcane, Cyberpunk Edge Runners, Castlevania, Sonic the Movie, and the Last of Us television series changed the common belief about the ‘curse of gaming adaptations’. The original creator of the iconic gaming series, Super Mario Bros., Shigeru Miyamoto, shared what it takes to make a good video game movie. 

Mario creator shares how to make a good game adaptation

Super Mario Bros is one of the most iconic and influential gaming series in history. Ever since its release, the mustached plumber brother won the hearts of gamers all over the world, becoming an Evergreen face in the industry. The original creator of the game, Shigeru Miyamoto shares, what they had in mind in order to give this iconic franchise justice on the big screens. 

In a recent interview with GameInformer, Shigeru said, “It’s really important that the people who understand the important aspects of the game are part of that movie creative team so they have a really deep understanding of the important aspects of what makes the game the game it is, and also they have the skills and know-how to create movies.”

Having people from the original creative minds behind the gaming IP is truly an important aspect in terms of gaming adaptations, and the industry is becoming very aware of it. HBO’s The Last of Us is a big example of it, as it featured the original writer Neil Druckmann alongside members of the original cast of the game. 

“I think it might be easy to assume that as long as we follow the beats across the span of a game, an enjoyable movie should be created. It’s kind of a naïve way of thinking,” said Shigeru sharing his thoughts on the popular belief that adapting the source 1:1 would make a good movie. 

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Shigeru shares, to make a good movie adaptation, the creative minds need to add coherent plots and relatable stakes, elements to make the adaptation adequate for the silver screens. 

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