Nintendo’s next big-screen move may already be turning into a bidding war. After the runaway success of ”The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and the announcement of ”The Legend of Zelda,” a new report says the company is shopping a film adaptation of ”Metroid Prime,” with Sony Pictures and Universal Pictures both competing for the rights.
Both studios are said to be leaning toward a live-action version, though that could still shift as negotiations continue. That makes sense: ”Metroid” has always been the more atmospheric, less cartoon-friendly Nintendo property, and it sits closer to sci-fi thriller territory than family animation.
Why Hollywood wants a Metroid Prime movie now
Universal’s interest has been rumored since the end of 2025, when the studio was reportedly trying to fold Samus Aran’s story into its Mario film universe. Sony, meanwhile, has already finished filming ”The Legend of Zelda,” which is scheduled to premiere in May 2027. In other words, both companies have a working relationship with Nintendo and a reason to push for the next prize.
That also tells you where the industry is heading. After years of shaky game adaptations, studios now see Nintendo as one of the few reliable brands in the business, and they are acting accordingly. The fight for ”Metroid Prime” is less about nostalgia than about owning the next franchise with global reach.
Brie Larson remains the fan-favorite Samus
Cast chatter is already following the rights talk. Brie Larson, who voiced Rosalina in ”The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” has repeatedly said she would like to play Samus Aran, and her name is now being actively discussed. It is the kind of rumor studios love: recognizable, easy to market, and just ambitious enough to keep fans arguing online for months.
If Nintendo really does go live-action, the next question is whether it wants another shared universe or something cleaner and more self-contained. My money is on the latter, because not every game adaptation needs to be dragged into a franchise machine the moment it clears the door.