Nintendo has confirmed that the highly anticipated live-action film based on The Legend of Zelda will hit theaters on March 26, 2027. The revelation was made through the Nintendo Today! app, recently launched for mobile devices, and marks a decisive step for the Japanese company in expanding the brand's audiovisual universe.
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Rumors about the production had been circulating since November 2023 following the release of a company financial report. However, at the time, Nintendo declared that it was investing directly in visual content and actively participating in the development of film productions. Company president Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the company was "deeply involved" in the creation of multiple projects, thus reinforcing expectations surrounding a film adaptation of the Hyrule universe.
Directed by Wes Ball and written by Derek Connolly
While Nintendo is keeping details about the plot and cast under wraps, it has already confirmed some of the behind-the-scenes creative team. Director Wes Ball, who helmed Reign of the Planet of the Apes, is helming the project. Derek Connolly, known for Jurassic World: Dominion, will be writing the script. The production will be the result of a partnership between Nintendo, Columbia Pictures, and Sony Pictures, which will also handle the film's worldwide distribution.
Wes Ball has publicly expressed his desire for the film to have a visual aesthetic inspired by the work of Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. This approach suggests a more poetic and visually rich narrative, which should appeal to both longtime fans and new audiences unfamiliar with the saga of Link, Zelda, and Ganon.
The Zelda franchise is one of the most prestigious in gaming history.
Created in 1986, The Legend of Zelda is one of the most influential and award-winning series in video game history. With each new title, the narrative introduces different versions of the protagonists: Link, a young elf warrior; Zelda, the princess of Hyrule; and Ganon, a villain who poses a constant threat to the kingdom. Games like Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Breath of the Wild have marked generations and are still remembered today as industry milestones.
Nintendo hasn't revealed whether the film will adapt a specific version of the franchise or tell a new story. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, producers are considering actress Hunter Schafer—known for the 2019 series Euphoria—for the role of Princess Zelda. Despite speculation, no one has officially confirmed the casting yet.
Nintendo bets on cinema after the success of Super Mario Bros.
The announcement of the Zelda film's release reinforces Nintendo's new phase in film. In 2023, Super Mario Bros. The Movie was the highest-grossing film of the year and cemented the success of the brand's transition into audiovisual media. With a sequel already confirmed for April 2026, the company is expanding its efforts in this segment, betting on established franchises to conquer the big screen.
The move to transform Hyrule into a cinematic setting reflects Nintendo's diversification strategy, which now sees film as a promising field for strengthening its intellectual properties. The film is expected to further strengthen the saga's popularity and drive new releases in the gaming universe.
While fans await more news about the film's script, cast, and approach, what we already know is that a release date has been set. Until then, audiences can follow Nintendo's upcoming announcements and speculate on which elements of Zelda's vast world will come to life on the big screen.
