A solo Donkey Kong movie is reportedly in the works, with Seth Rogen set to reprise his upcoming role as the iconic Nintendo character.
According to Giant Freakin Robot, Donkey Kong will be the next Nintendo character heading to the big screen following the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie.
Seth Rogen has already been confirmed to voice Donkey Kong as a side character in the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie, so it’s not a huge leap to see Rogen head up his own solo project.
GFR claims that the upcoming Donkey Kong solo movie is currently in development at Illumination – the studio that has previously brought Despicable Me and the Minions to the big screen. The company is also working on the Super Mario Bros. movie starring Chris Pratt as everyone’s favourite Italian plumber.
While very much an early report, the folks at Giant Freakin Robot have a good track record breaking exclusive movie news over the last couple of years – confirming that Ryan Gosling had been cast in the upcoming Barbie movie, among other stories. It's also worth pointing out that movies can be in development before being subsequently cancelled, so this isn't an assurance than the movie will arrive.
The very much confirmed Super Mario Bros. movie will star Chris Pratt as Mario, with Charlie Day in the role of Luigi. They’re joined by Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong.
Additionally, Kevin Michael Richardson will voice Kamek, Fred Armisen will voice Cranky Kong, and Sebastian Maniscalco will voice Foreman Spike, while long-time Mario voice artist Charles Martinet will have a number of featured cameos in the movie.
Although Seth Rogen has been highlighted to star in the new Donkey Kong movie, it’s unclear whether any of his Super Mario Bros. co-stars will be joining him.
While the Super Mario Bros. movie was originally announced back in 2018, nothing has been heard about a solo Donkey Kong movie until now.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.