Animal crossing sales, and a film in the works?

ign reports;

May 13, 2006 - According to Japan's Hochi Shimbun online edition, Nintendo has, as of 5/8, shipped three million copies of Animal Crossing: Wild World to Japan. The game, known as Oideyo: Doubutsu no Mori in its native land, has been such a success, in fact, that Nintendo has chosen to branch the franchise off to a new media: anime.

The currently untitled Animal Crossing animated movie is is being prepared for a planned Japanese opening in December. Serving as director is Jouji Shimura, known for his work on Master Keaton and Shin Angyo Onshi. The game's staff is said to be cooperating on the project, which promises to retain the themes that have helped the game appeal to all audiences.

I think that out of all nintendos popular franchises, animal crossing was the one i would least expect to be transformed into a film, but what the hell it could be great.