Star Fox's Cinematic Potential: Gary Whitta and Raf Grassetti Spark Animated Movie Hopes for Nintendo Fans

Star Fox, one of Nintendo's most enduring franchises, has remained largely dormant since the release of Star Fox Zero for the Wii U in 2016.

Developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames, Star Fox Zero provided fans with the signature aerial combat and adventure they had come to expect, but the lack of subsequent releases has left many eager for the next chapter in the Star Fox saga.

The series, which debuted in 1993, is best known for its iconic cast of anthropomorphic pilots and high-octane space dogfights, capturing the imagination of gamers across generations. Recently, the Star Fox IP resurfaced in the spotlight thanks to a wave of realistic character artwork created by Raf Grassetti, the acclaimed art director behind 2018's God of War.

Grassetti’s detailed redesigns of Fox McCloud and his team quickly caught the attention of longtime fans and well-respected creatives within the gaming and entertainment industries.

One notable voice was Gary Whitta, whose screenwriting credits include 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.' Whitta took to social media to directly commend Grassetti’s work, openly declaring his admiration for Star Fox and expressing his enthusiasm for penning a story for an animated Star Fox film.

Grassetti responded with equal excitement, signaling his own interest in such a collaboration. Gary Whitta's impressive resume spans film, television, and video games.

Aside from writing the screenplay for 'Rogue One,' he contributed to the animated series 'Star Wars Rebels' and co-wrote the post-apocalyptic drama 'The Book of Eli.' His expertise extends into gaming as well, with writing credits on Telltale’s 'The Walking Dead' series and contributions to 'Duke Nukem Forever,' 'Prey,' and 'Gears of War.' Moreover, Whitta served as editor-in-chief at PC Gamer in both the UK and US editions, underscoring his deep-rooted connection to gaming culture. While there are currently no official announcements regarding a new Star Fox project, this high-profile exchange between Whitta and Grassetti has reignited fan excitement about the possibilities for the brand, both in interactive form and as transmedia storytelling.

Nintendo has a strong track record with successful adaptations, most recently with the Super Mario Bros.

animated movie, making the prospect of a Star Fox film or series particularly enticing to fans worldwide. Since the days of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and through its iterations on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and previous Nintendo Direct showcases, Star Fox has maintained a devoted following.

Though the franchise's last major release, Star Fox Zero, launched exclusively on the Wii U, the continued cultural footprint proves the lasting interest in the series.

With creative talents like Gary Whitta and Raf Grassetti publicly expressing their passion, the hope for a cinematic Star Fox adventure remains alive—proof that Nintendo’s beloved galaxy-faring foxes could soon soar to new heights both on screen and, perhaps, someday again on consoles.

Nintendo Star Fox Star Fox Zero PlatinumGames Gary Whitta Raf Grassetti God of War Rogue One Star Wars Rebels The Book of Eli Telltale's The Walking Dead Duke Nukem Forever Prey Gears of War PC Gamer