Nintendo has rebranded Warpstar Inc., the company long responsible for managing the Kirby intellectual property, sparking rumors that a Kirby movie could soon be in the works. In recent months, the Japanese gaming giant has shined a bigger spotlight on its puffball mascot, even hosting an exclusive Direct to showcase the franchise’s upcoming installment.
Rebranding and restructuring subsidiaries is nothing new for Nintendo, which has gone through similar processes many times before. However, the timing of this latest move has drawn extra attention, as fans believe it could carry more weight than past reorganizations.
On August 27, 2025, Nintendo officially announced (source) that Warpstar Inc. would be renamed Nintendo Stars Inc.. With this rebrand, the subsidiary’s responsibilities expand to include licensing, management, and operations tied to Nintendo’s IP in films, events, and partnerships. While the new scope is broad, one detail stood out: the company will continue to directly oversee the Kirby franchise. For many fans, that’s a strong hint that Kirby could be next in line for a big-screen debut.
Nintendo has already seen huge success with film adaptations. The Super Mario Bros. Movie became a global hit, prompting the company to greenlight even more projects. A live-action Legend of Zelda movie is in production, while the Super Mario Bros. sequel is set for release in April 2026. Rumors of a Donkey Kong film have also been circulating, adding fuel to theories that Kirby could soon follow.
The official statement also confirmed that Nintendo Stars Inc. is now a fully-owned Nintendo subsidiary. Earlier in April 2025, Nintendo acquired the remaining shares of Warpstar Inc. from HAL Laboratory, the developer behind several iconic Kirby games. Previously, Warpstar was co-owned between the two companies.
For now, Nintendo has made no mention of a Kirby movie, and given the company’s reputation for secrecy, fans may be waiting a while before hearing official news. Still, with Kirby’s franchise remaining under the wing of the newly rebranded Nintendo Stars Inc., speculation is at an all-time high.
Could Kirby be Nintendo’s next movie star? Only time will tell.