Nintendo is finally working on a live-action Legend of Zelda movie, after years of hopes and months of rumours.
The news was shared today In an official function For Nintendo investors, with few details. The film is produced by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, president of Arad Productions and former founder and CEO of Marvel Studios.
Arad is credited as a producer on many hit films over the years, including Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Into the Spider-Verse, No Way Home, Far From Home, and Homecoming. He has also worked on upcoming films including Kraven the Hunter and Borderlands.
Maze Runner director Wes Ball is set to direct the film, and Sony Pictures Entertainment will handle theatrical distribution as well as co-financing the film with Nintendo. Deadline HollywoodMeanwhile, reports indicate that Jurassic World writer Derek Connolly is writing the script.
Although the press release states that development has only just begun, Miyamoto noted in a tweet today that the project has been in the works in some form “for many years now.”
A live-action Zelda movie is finally a reality
Earlier this year, rumors abounded that a live-action Legend of Zelda movie was in the works, but the word on Hyrule Street was that The world was involvedor Maybe lightingInstead of Sony. The rumors were fueled by the developers of Tears of the Kingdom themselves, who expressed that they were “interested” in making a Zelda movie following the success of the Super Mario Bros. movie. Earlier this year. However, as Eiji Aonuma said at the time, “Unfortunately, I’m just not interested in something that makes things happen.” A Netflix series has been canceled after it was leaked online.
I asked Avi-san to produce this film with me, and we have now officially begun development on the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production. It will take some time to complete, but I hope you’ll look forward to seeing it. [2]https://t.co/2H9lzzS5Pv
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) November 7, 2023
Unlike the Mario movie, the Zelda movie is live-action, which means the casting of characters like Link, Zelda, Ganon and others will take on a whole new dimension. The Super Mario Bros. film, although well received, was criticized pre-release due to the decision to cast Chris Pratt in the role of Mario. A Zelda movie will presumably be subject to similar scrutiny by fans – even if Link remains the silent protagonist, as is the case in the games.
It’s unclear what Zelda story this film will explore
Fans have speculated about the possibility of a Zelda movie for many years now, with a few donning the costumes to create their own trailers. In 2008, we created our own vision of a live-action Legend of Zelda game. At the time it was just an April Fool’s joke, but now it seems the prophecy has come true.
It’s unclear exactly what Zelda story will be explored in this film adaptation, or whether a new Zelda story will be told instead. It’s possible that Nintendo may choose to explore the newest and most successful entries in the franchise through Breath of the Wild’s storytelling, especially if it opens the door to a sequel in Tears of the Kingdom. One way or another, we’ll have to wait for updates from Nintendo to see what they have in store for us.
Rebecca Valentine is a senior reporter at IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
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