After expressing reticence over the years, Nintendo made the surprising announcement of a partnership with Minions production studio Illumination to create a Super Mario animated movie. But that isn't the end of Nintendo's intention to explore the entertainment space.

Speaking to IGN at E3 2018, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime explained that Nintendo is having a "range of conversations" in the entertainment sphere akin to the Illumination partnership and the planned Universal Studios Nintendo theme park. But, of course, much like with its lack of announcements for franchises like Animal Crossing and Mother 3, Nintendo will reveal those partnerships when the time is right and something is in the works.

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"We see ourselves as making worldwide consumers smile through our intellectual property. Fundamentally, we do that four ways," Fils-Aime explained when asked about other entertainment partnerships. "We do it with mobile. We do it with our licensed relationships with other companies [like Kellog's]...We have other entertainment, which is where we put Universal Studios and Illumination. Then we have our dedicated video game business.

"This is a key part of our strategy. This is an area we are having a range of conversations. Just like we did for the other big two partnerships, when we have something to announce, we will."

As for the Mario movie itself, Fils-Aime said "conversations are ongoing," noting that Shigeru Miyamoto is "actively involved" in those discussions. It seems that in discussing the focus of the film, however, that the intention is to make a movie both for longtime fans and introduce the world of the Nintendo mascot to newcomers.

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"Certainly our focus from a Nintendo perspective as well as working with such an accomplished partner like Illumination is to make sure that what is created is something both fans will love as well as it will be a great introduction to folks who are not as familiar with the world of Mario," Fils-Aime said.

For much more from our conversation with Fils-Aime at E3, read about how Nintendo feels about all the leaks before this year’s E3 and why Nintendo feels Switch Online is the successor to Virtual Console

Jonathon Dornbush is IGN's News Editor. Find him on Twitter @jmdornbush