In 1983, Universal sued Nintendo, claiming Donkey Kong infringed on its King Kong trademark. Nintendo’s attorney (and future board member,) Howard Lincoln, had to enlist the help of attorney John Kirby for his record of winning big cases, and it paid off big. Universal’s claims that Donkey Kong could be confused with King Kong fell on deaf ears.

Donkey Kong appeared in the 2023 Mario film and was portrayed by Seth Rogen. DK was also added to Universal’s theme park pantheon with the opening of Super Nintendo World Orlando, which features a Donkey Kong Country area. Donkey Kong is set to star in his own 3D platformer this month with the release of Donkey Kong Bananza.

Nintendo and Universal have filed copyright information for an untitled Donkey Kong movie. The filing, which was made in May of this year, declares both Nintendo Studios and Universal Pictures as the co-producers of the film project.