Sony in talks with Nintendo to make a Mario film

The latest news to stem from the ongoing storm surrounding the Sony Pictures hack involves a possible new Mario film – made by Sony.

Buzzfeed unearthed evidence that Sony producer Avi Arad secured the rights to an animated Mario film and sending a picture of himself with Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata to Sony studio chief Amy Pascal.

Sony Pictures Animation president of production Michelle Raimo Kouyate is also said to have emailed Arad her congratulations, complete with the message Let’s build a Mario empire”.

Arad subsequently denied to BuzzFeed that the Super Mario deal had been finalised, saying his negotiations with Nintendo were just the beginning”.

Mario has not starred in anything big-screen related since the infamous Bob Hoskins movie from 1993.

The Sony Pictures hack has proved quite unprecedented and has led to a slew of revelations and headlines – including accusations that it was a North Korean attack to stop the release of The Interview, to publication of 47,000 social security numbers and film stars’ online aliases, details of a proposed Men In Black and Jump Street crossover and personal criticism of minimally talented spoiled brat” Angelina Jolie, who was allegedly unhappy with Steve Jobs biopic Job being handed to Seven director David Fincher.