The announcement about the movie's release date was made on the new Nintendo Direct app.
Popular video game franchise Legend of Zelda is going to get a live-acton movie adaptation, and it finally has a confirmed release date.
The movie, first announced in 2023, is set to be released on 26 March 2027. The announcement was initially made through Nintendo's new smart-device app, Nintendo Direct. This app functions as a daily calendar, delivering a variety of content, including the latest news, videos, and comics featuring characters from select Nintendo franchises.
Nintendo and Sony Pictures are co-financing the film, with Sony handling theatrical distribution. The project is being produced by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto alongside Avi Arad, chairman of Arad Productions and former founder and CEO of Marvel Studios.
The director of the film will be Wes Ball (The Maze Runner series and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), with Derek Connolly (Jurassic World) handling the script.
Wes Ball’s vision for The Legend of Zelda
Ball has long admitted that he was a “die-hard” Zelda fan and expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the Zelda franchise to the big screen as early as 2010. He shared his vision on X (formerly Twitter), describing what he imagined it to be as “the next big mo-cap [motion capture] Avatar-like movie,” sharing that he’d like to take inspiration from Miyazaki for live action.
However, in a May 2024 interview with Polygon, he clarified that his approach has evolved, stating that a full mo-cap movie “probably isn't his choice.” Instead, he aims to create a Zelda film that feels "grounded" and "real."
The director also said that he wanted to fulfil people's greatest desires. "I know it's important, this [Zelda] franchise, to people, and I want it to be a serious movie. A real movie that can give people an escape… [The film has] to feel like something real. Something serious and cool but fun and whimsical."
Casting speculation
No official casting announcements have been made yet, but interest from actors is already emerging. In an interview with IGN back in October 2024, Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense) has openly expressed a desire to be part of the project, calling it his version of “Star Wars.” Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer has expressed interest in playing Princess Zelda, with fans also expressing support in an all-out social media campaign.
