Nintendo has turned around and said that there are plans to introduce a DVD capable Wii in Japan later next year. This move goes back to original plans from the Wii about it being able to play DVDs. This was later removed from the Wii because Nintendo said standalone players are now widely available at low cost.
Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz, a spokesperson declined to comment on when the new machine will hit the shops, but did confirm, "There are currently plans to release a version of Wii in Japan featuring DVD playback." He also added "There are currently no plans to bring this model to Europe or the US."