Is Mario Kart destined for the silver screen?

Nintendo seeks ways to strengthen its characters

Are you ready for movies like "Mario Kart" and "The Legend of Zelda?" A Reuters story claims they could soon be coming to a theater near you.

The story says Nintendo Co. Ltd. is in talks with several global production companies about expanding its video content business, including making movies.

Tatsumi Kimishima, president of the Japanese video game maker, told the Asahi newspaper in today's edition the move is aimed at strengthening Nintendo's character business and expanding the global gaming population.

"We're talking with various partners," Kimishima told the Japanese daily.. "I think we'll be able to decide something in the not-too-distant future."

Kimishima declined to say when any projects would be announced but said it would not be as far off as five years. He would not say which of Nintendo's popular characters were being considered for use.

A Nintendo spokesman told Reuters that Kimishima's comments referred to "video content" but did not deny the possibility of making movies.

In 2014, "Super Mario" creator Shigeru Miyamoto screened a 3D short-animation film based on Nintendo's Pikmin characters at the Tokyo International Film Festival, and in an interview with Reuters left the door open to future film projects.