Nintendo’s cinematic ambitions are expanding again. Fresh off the record-breaking success of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and with the live-action Legend of Zelda film already in post-production, a new report claims the company is now shopping a Metroid movie to Hollywood’s biggest studios.
According to film insider V Scooper, Sony Pictures and Universal Pictures are locked in a bidding war to secure the adaptation rights to one of gaming’s most atmospheric and enduring sci-fi franchises. The kicker? Universal is reportedly pushing to make it a horror movie.
The Rumor: What Is Being Claimed
The initial claim surfaced on April 27, 2026, and has since been corroborated and expanded upon by multiple outlets. Here is exactly what is being reported.
The Source:
V Scooper is a film industry insider who holds a Tier 2 (“Approved and Mostly Reliable”) rating on the Marvel Studios subreddit, a community that rigorously tracks leaker accuracy. Wccftech assessed the rumor with an 80% probability rating, citing “multiple reliable sources”.
V Scooper is not the only person to have claimed a Metroid film is in development. Daniel Richtman (also known as DanielRPK), another well-known entertainment insider, reported the same thing back in February 2026, suggesting the project could focus on the Metroid Prime storyline.
The Core Claim:
“Metroid, last I heard a few months ago, was still in a bit of a push between studios, no updates since. Sony is one of the stronger contenders for Metroid, Universal is also fighting for it, both are leaning for live action but this could change.”
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Source | V Scooper (film insider, Tier 2 reliability) |
| Supporting Source | Daniel Richtman / DanielRPK (February 2026) |
| Contending Studios | Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures |
| Format | Live-action (both studios prefer this) |
| Project Status | Very early; Nintendo is pitching to studios |
| Potential Storyline | Metroid Prime saga (per Daniel Richtman) |
| Official Confirmation | None |
The Horror Angle: Universal’s Vision for Samus Aran
The most intriguing detail to emerge from the latest round of reports is Universal’s specific creative direction. According to V Scooper, Universal Pictures wants to infuse the Metroid adaptation with genuine horror elements, setting it apart from the family-friendly tone of the Super Mario films and the epic fantasy of the Zelda movie.
What the updated report says:
New leaks point to the rumored Metroid movie potentially becoming the darkest production Nintendo has ever made. Universal reportedly has ideas to steer the film toward horror, leveraging the oppressive and alien atmosphere of the franchise.
The boundaries being discussed:
- The horror influence would not push the film into R-rated or 18+ territory.
- The exact degree of horror has not been decided.
- Sony, by contrast, has not yet disclosed any specific creative direction for its competing pitch.
This approach aligns remarkably well with the source material. The Metroid games—particularly Metroid Fusion, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and the SA-X sequences—have always drawn from sci-fi horror traditions. The SA-X, an unstoppable doppelgänger that stalks Samus through the corridors of the BSL station, is essentially a slasher villain in power armor. The E.M.M.I. robots from Metroid Dread follow a similar template: relentless hunters that cannot be fought, only evaded.
A Metroid film that taps into that well of tension, isolation, and body horror—without crossing into gore or R-rated territory—would capture something essential about the franchise that a straightforward action blockbuster might miss.
Why Sony and Universal Both Have a Legitimate Shot
This is not a random bidding war between two studios that have no relationship with Nintendo. Both Sony and Universal have direct, active partnerships with the company—and each brings a different advantage to the table.
| Studio | Nintendo History | What They Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Sony Pictures | Currently producing The Legend of Zelda live-action film (May 2027) | Existing live-action Nintendo experience; proven trust; director Wes Ball already in the Nintendo fold |
| Universal Pictures | Illumination produced both Super Mario films (billion-dollar successes) | Highest-grossing Nintendo adaptation track record; strong marketing machinery |
The Illumination Factor:
A key complication for Universal is that Illumination, its animation subsidiary responsible for the Mario films, only produces animated features. If the Metroid adaptation is live-action—as both studios currently prefer—Illumination would not be involved. Instead, Universal’s live-action division would handle the project, meaning Nintendo would be working with a largely untested partner within the Universal ecosystem.
Sony’s Position:
Sony Pictures has already earned Nintendo’s trust. The Zelda movie, directed by Wes Ball and starring Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda, recently wrapped principal photography and is on track for its May 7, 2027 theatrical release. A Metroid film would allow Sony and Nintendo to continue a partnership that is already functioning smoothly.
The Metroid Prime Connection
Daniel Richtman’s initial report from February 2026 included a specific detail that has gained relevance in light of the new information: the film adaptation would likely draw from the Metroid Prime storyline.
This makes sense on multiple levels:
- Narrative Richness: The Prime trilogy features a coherent, cinematic story arc involving Phazon corruption, the mysterious Metroid Prime entity, and Dark Samus—material that translates directly to film.
- Recent Relevance: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launched to strong critical reception, keeping the Prime sub-brand fresh in the public consciousness.
- Thematic Depth: The Prime games balance isolation, exploration, and high-stakes combat—a tone that could support either a straightforward sci-fi action approach or the horror-infused direction Universal is reportedly favoring.
Who Could Play Samus Aran?
Casting for the iconic bounty hunter has already become a point of speculation across multiple outlets. According to Metroid lore, Samus Aran is physically distinctive: 6’3″ (1.90m), blonde, with striking blue eyes.
Wccftech’s analysis identifies Elizabeth Debicki (known for Tenet, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and The Crown) as the closest physical match to Samus’s canonical description, noting that Debicki is “actually the same height and would be a great fit”.
Other possibilities that have been discussed by fans and outlets include:
- Brie Larson – Proven action lead with experience in sci-fi roles.
- Charlize Theron – Veteran action star with the physical presence and dramatic range to anchor a Metroid film.
- Gwendoline Christie – Towering physical presence with experience portraying warrior characters.
- An unknown actor – Following the Zelda movie’s approach of casting relatively fresh faces for the lead roles.
No casting decisions have been made or even formally discussed at this stage. The project has not officially been greenlit.
The Bigger Picture: Nintendo’s Cinematic Universe
The Metroid movie rumor does not exist in isolation. It is part of a broader, increasingly clear strategy from Nintendo to transform its biggest intellectual properties into a cohesive film slate.
| Nintendo Film Project | Status |
|---|---|
| The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) | Released; $1.36 billion at box office |
| The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026) | In theaters; currently highest-grossing film of 2026 |
| The Legend of Zelda (2027) | Wrapped filming; May 7, 2027 release |
| Metroid | Rumored; in pitch phase with studios |
| Luigi’s Mansion | Rumored; reportedly being pitched |
| Donkey Kong | Rumored to be in development |
| Star Fox | Rumored to be in early planning |
| Kirby | Rumored to be in early development |
Recent reports additionally claim that Nintendo may have as many as six movies in the works across its various franchises, while a separate leak suggests a nine-project Nintendo Cinematic Universe is taking shape.
Shigeru Miyamoto has publicly discussed Nintendo’s transition from a video game company to a broader entertainment company, and the film strategy is the most visible manifestation of that pivot. Each project targets a different audience segment: Mario for families, Zelda for fantasy epic fans, and—if the horror angle holds—Metroid for the older sci-fi audience.
Why Metroid Makes Sense Now
Nintendo is not choosing its film projects at random. Several factors make Metroid a logical next step.
The Franchise Profile:
- The Metroid series has sold over 20 million units across its lifetime.
- Metroid Dread (2021) and Metroid Prime Remastered (2023) both outperformed sales expectations, proving the franchise can succeed in the modern market.
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launched on Switch and Switch 2, keeping Samus in the conversation.
The Differentiator:
Unlike Mario and Zelda, which target broad, all-ages audiences, a Metroid film would give Nintendo a foothold in the older science fiction and horror market. It is the company’s most tonally mature franchise, and a live-action adaptation that embraces that maturity—without abandoning the series’ core identity—would expand Nintendo’s cinematic reach significantly.
The Alien Legacy:
The original Metroid drew explicit inspiration from Ridley Scott’s Alien. The game’s atmosphere of isolation, its focus on a lone female protagonist in hostile territory, and even the name of its recurring antagonist (Ridley) all trace back to that film. A Metroid movie that recognizes this lineage—as Universal’s horror pitch appears to do—is a return to the source, not a departure from it.
FAQ: What You Need to Know
Q: Has Nintendo officially confirmed a Metroid movie?
A: No. Everything is based on reports from V Scooper, Daniel Richtman, and other insiders. Nintendo has not commented.
Q: Is the Metroid movie going to be live-action or animated?
A: Both Sony and Universal are reportedly leaning toward live-action, but nothing has been finalized.
Q: Will it be rated R?
A: No. Universal’s reported horror approach would not push the film into R-rated territory.
Q: When could a Metroid movie release?
A: If the project is only in the pitch phase now, a release would be 2029 or later. These films take years to develop, produce, and market.
Q: Is the Zelda movie still on track?
A: Yes. The Legend of Zelda live-action film has wrapped principal photography and is scheduled for May 7, 2027.
Q: Will the Metroid movie be based on a specific game?
A: Daniel Richtman’s earlier report suggested the Metroid Prime storyline as a possible foundation, but this has not been confirmed.
Q: Could Illumination be involved?
A: No, if the film is live-action. Illumination exclusively produces animated films and would not participate in a live-action Metroid project.
The Bottom Line
A Metroid movie is not yet a done deal. The project is still in the pitch phase, and both Sony and Universal have yet to secure the rights. But the fact that a credible insider is reporting a bidding war—not just casual interest—suggests this is more than idle speculation.
Nintendo’s cinematic strategy is accelerating. Mario proved the company could succeed in theaters. Zelda is testing whether that success extends to live-action. Metroid, if it moves forward, would test whether Nintendo can conquer a third distinct genre: dark, atmospheric science fiction that respects the tone of its source material while reaching a broad audience.
For fans of Samus Aran, this is the closest the bounty hunter has ever come to the big screen. The bidding war is ongoing. The horror angle is on the table. And if the rumors are true, the last Metroid may not be in captivity for much longer.
Would you want a live-action or animated Metroid movie? And who should play Samus Aran? Let us know in the comments.
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