Legend Of Zelda Live-Action Movie Announced, See Nintendo’s Official Statement
No, you haven’t been dreaming, and yes, the rumors are true — Nintendo is officially making a live-action Legend of Zelda movie.
The news broke on Tuesday, and it’s already set the gaming community abuzz as fans wonder if, after all this time, a movie based on the legendary game will live up to hopes and expectations.
The Legend of Zelda Finds A Director
The Legend of Zelda was first released in 1986, and for the last 37 years, the gaming community has wondered when Nintendo’s sword-wielding golden-haired hero was going to make it to the silver screen.
It looks like Nintendo has finally answered the call and the company is teaming up with Sony Pictures Entertainment, with the acclaimed director Wes Ball, known for his work on The Maze Runner series, set to helm the project.
The Legend Of Zelda Franchise
The Legend of Zelda has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide for decades.
The franchise’s enduring popularity and the recent success of games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have fueled persistent rumors of a Zelda film adaptation.
Several years ago, there were even reports of Netflix developing a live-action TV series based on the series, but that project never saw the light of day.
Nintendo Is Protective
Nintendo has been historically renowned for its protective approach to its intellectual property (and it honestly should be considering the Super Mario Bros. fiasco of 1993).
However, this time, it appears that the production is moving forward with full steam ahead. Shigeru Miyamoto, the acclaimed video game designer and creator of the Legend of Zelda series, and Avi Arad, Chairman of Arad Productions Inc., will serve as producers on the film.
Legend Of Zelda In Works For Years
Miyamoto expressed his enthusiasm on X, revealing that the upcoming Legend of Zelda film is not actually a new development. In fact, Nintendo has been working on the live-action project for “many years.”
Miyamoto assured fans that Nintendo is heavily involved in the film’s production, signaling their commitment to delivering a faithful and engaging adaptation that will live up to fans’ expectations.
Super Mario Success Helps
But if Miyamoto and co. have been working on the Legend of Zelda live-action movie for so long, then why wait until now to release the feature? Likely it’s because of the success of the recent animated Super Mario movie, featuring Chris Pratt.
The movie was a global box office success, with earnings surpassing $1.36 billion worldwide (and still growing as the movie has remained in some theaters for a whopping 30+ weeks).
Legend Of Zelda Specifics Are Few
As of now, specific details about the forthcoming Legend of Zelda film remain shrouded in mystery. The franchise has spawned more than 25 games over the years, with the central character, Link, wielding the iconic Master Sword to protect Princess Zelda from the nefarious Ganon.
Any information around which storyline the film will be following or who the feature will cast remain locked behind closed doors, if there are even any details set in stone at the point.
With a talented team of producers, a renowned director, and Sony and Nintendo working hand in hand, a live-action Legend of Zelda film promises to deliver a cinematic experience that captures the magic of the iconic video game series.