Mario movie exec has no idea why people think a Zelda film is next

The CEO of Universal’s Illumination isn’t sure where the rumors about a collaboration with Nintendo on a Legend of Zelda movie came from, according to an interview he gave to TheWrap. Entertainment reporter Jeff Sneider reported last week that Universal was nearing a “big deal” with Nintendo on a Zelda film, and although Nintendo and Universal’s Illumination partnered on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri didn’t confirm that’s happening.

“I don’t know where that came from,” Meledandri said to TheWrap about the Zelda rumor. “I mean I can understand how people would surmise all sorts of things because obviously, we’ve had a great experience working together. My relationship with Nintendo now includes being on their board of directors, so I understand how people can surmise these things. But in terms of the specifics, that was just something that I’ve been hearing lots of reports. This is just about what’s next between Nintendo and Illumination.”

That statement, to me, doesn’t read as a firm denial that some kind of deal isn’t happening. And Sneider is standing by his reporting: “Universal is getting the rights. Illumination came up in the convo as a natural fit,” he tweeted on Thursday.