Nintendo's Mario Bros. Hope To Snag Danny Devito For Movie

REDMOND, Wash. - Those hopping heroes of the video games, the Mario Bros., are hoping to be in a movie, with Danny DeVito in a starring role.

Nintendo of America Inc., which makes the Mario games, said today that production of ``Super Mario Bros.: The Movie'' will begin later this year, with the film to be released sometime in 1992.

Bill White, Nintendo director of advertising and public relations, said DeVito has not yet signed for the picture, ``but allowed us to use his name in conjunction with the film.'' DeVito, who starred in ``Twins,'' ``Romancing the Stone'' and the television series ``Taxi,'' wants to read the script before signing, White said.

White declined to say what the live-action film would be about. In their ``Super Mario Bros.'' video games, Mario and his brother, Luigi, battle monsters, dodge dragons and rescue princesses.

DeVito will play one of the brothers, White said.

The screenplay is being written by Barry Morrow, who wrote the screenplay for ``Rain Man.''

Roland Joffe and Jake Eberts will produce the movie for LightMotive of Los Angeles. LightMotive's earlier movies include ``The Killing Fields'' and ``The Mission,'' while Ebert's production credits include ``Dances With Wolves'' and ``Driving Miss Daisy.''