Netflix's Cancelled Star Fox Claymation Series: The Untold Nintendo Adaptation Story

In recent years, Nintendo has become increasingly open to adapting its beloved franchises beyond the realm of video games, most notably collaborating with Illumination on the highly-anticipated Super Mario movie set to debut on the big screen.

However, not all adaptation efforts have reached the public eye.

One such endeavor—a Star Fox claymation series—was quietly shelved before production could bring the iconic Arwing pilots to television audiences worldwide.

This untold chapter in Nintendo's history came to light through an interview with comedian and writer Adam Conover, as featured on The Serf Times.

Conover explained that back in 2015, CollegeHumor, known for its sharp comedic sketches and digital content, was developing a Star Fox animated series in close cooperation with Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto.

The show was envisioned as a claymation production, drawing visual inspiration from Wes Anderson's acclaimed stop-motion film, Fantastic Mr.

Fox—a style that seemed a fitting tribute for the interstellar animal heroes of the Star Fox squadron. According to Conover, the project garnered interest and initial traction, building on CollegeHumor’s previous experience with a Star Fox-related sketch in 2011.

However, the hopeful momentum came to a swift halt just a month after discussions began.

Conover recounted that the cancellation followed news reports emerging from a leaked Netflix plan to produce a live-action The Legend of Zelda series—an initiative that both companies had kept tightly under wraps.

At the time, then-Nintendo President Satoru Iwata issued a statement suggesting that such reports were 'not based on correct information,' but the internal impact was immediate and significant. "When details about Netflix’s Legend of Zelda project were leaked to the media, Nintendo reacted decisively and chose to cancel all related adaptation projects, including the Star Fox claymation series," Conover summarized.

Importantly, he clarified that the decision to stop production was solely due to external leaks; CollegeHumor was not at fault for the project's abrupt end. Despite the setback, Nintendo has since revisited the idea of bringing its acclaimed intellectual properties to new audiences, as evidenced by its current collaboration with Illumination on the Super Mario Bros.

film.

Nevertheless, the cancelled Star Fox series stands as a reminder of what could have been: a creative partnership blending Nintendo’s imaginative worlds with innovative storytelling techniques. This story adds further depth to the ongoing evolution of Nintendo adaptations, reflecting both the challenges and potential of bringing classic gaming franchises to TV and film.

While fans may never see the Star Fox claymation series in action, the company’s renewed enthusiasm for multimedia projects suggests future opportunities may lie ahead for Nintendo IPs beyond the Nintendo Switch and the eShop.

Nintendo Netflix Star Fox CollegeHumor Shigeru Miyamoto Legend of Zelda The Serf Times Adam Conover Satoru Iwata Illumination Super Mario movie