Nintendo Officially Announces A Live-Action Zelda Film
Posted on November 07 2023 by Alexandria Weber
It’s the news that we knew was inevitable. We’ve been anticipating it with excitement and intrigue, while simultaneously hoping it never crossed our headlines. Adaptation is a word that ensues uncertainty in all of us, being one that has been a source of both wild successes and terrible tragedies. Any adaptation can be a hit or a miss, and because the Zelda series is beloved by so many, the stakes are high to deliver something special, worthwhile, and respectful.
Nintendo announced today that a live-action Zelda film is in development. Zelda series creator Shigeru Miyamoto himself is teaming up with producer Avi Arad of Arad Productions, Inc. (Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse, the Venom movies, and Uncharted) to create a cinematic experience of adventure, danger, and courage. Financed by both Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., the film is set to be directed by Wes Ball (the Maze Runner series and the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) and distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc..
Entertainment news outlets Variety and Deadline have reported that screenwriter Derek Connolly (Pokémon Detective Pikachu, Kong: Skull Island, and the Jurassic World series) will pen the film’s screenplay. Connolly was not mentioned in Nintendo’s press release.
Details on the movie are sparse thus far, with the press release only mentioning that Nintendo’s silver screen endeavors are an aim to “put smiles on everyone’s faces through entertainment.” While that statement gives me pause as far as the franchise not being taken as seriously as it perhaps deserves, Miyamoto’s involvement does somewhat give me hope.
Miyamoto released his own statement alongside the announcement, sharing that he has been working on the live-action Zelda project with Arad “for many years now.” He also stated that Nintendo will be “heavily involved in the production” and that “it will take time until its completion.”
This is Miyamoto. I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films. [1]
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) November 7, 2023
What do you think? What would you like the movie to involve? Should it have been animated? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Nintendo
Editor’s Note: This article has been edited to include information about the film’s reported screenwriter.
Alexandria Weber is a Senior Editor and an aspiring creative writer. Her favorite food is apple pie and she loves her cat Galadriel. Ask her for pictures!
