Nintendo and Sony Confirm Official Legend of Zelda Movie with Shigeru Miyamoto Producing

Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment have officially announced a live-action Legend of Zelda movie, marking an unprecedented collaboration that has excited fans and industry observers alike.

This decision comes on the heels of the tremendous box office success of the Super Mario Bros.

Movie in 2023, which signaled a new era for Nintendo’s foray into cinematic adaptations of its iconic gaming franchises. For years, the notion of a Legend of Zelda adaptation seemed highly unlikely.

Even with interest from major Hollywood figures, Nintendo remained reluctant.

In a notable discussion on the Video Game History Hour podcast, former Nintendo marketing executive Gail Tilden shed light on past decisions.

According to Tilden, legendary Nintendo developer and creator of the Zelda series, Shigeru Miyamoto, consistently dismissed film adaptation proposals.

Tilden recalled, “People frequently approached Nintendo about making a Zelda movie, but the answer from Mr.

Miyamoto was always ‘no,’ regardless of who inquired—even if a director as acclaimed as Steven Spielberg expressed interest.” This steadfast refusal gradually gave way to new possibilities after the demonstrated worldwide appeal and commercial triumph of Nintendo’s other film projects.

Now, Nintendo appears more open to expanding its franchises beyond games, leveraging movies and theme parks to reach broader audiences.

As a result, the Legend of Zelda movie is now in production, co-produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and film producer Avi Arad, known for his work at Marvel Studios. Directing the highly anticipated film will be Wes Ball, a filmmaker recently acclaimed for his leadership on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, an installment in the rebooted science fiction series.

Ball’s experience with major cinematic projects brings fresh optimism regarding the film’s direction and faithfulness to the beloved Nintendo Switch and legacy platforms’ game series. A release date for the Legend of Zelda movie has yet to be officially confirmed, but the announcement underscores Nintendo’s commitment to carefully curating adaptations of its properties.

The Legend of Zelda series continues to be a cornerstone of Nintendo's success, with more than 140 million units sold across all its entries and platforms, from the original NES to the latest games available on the Nintendo Switch and eShop. With steadfast oversight by Miyamoto and a seasoned filmmaking team, expectations are high that this adaptation will honor the rich legacy of one of gaming’s most cherished franchises.

The industry will be watching keenly as development progresses on this groundbreaking Nintendo and Sony Pictures collaboration.

Zelda Nintendo Shigeru Miyamoto Sony Legend of Zelda Wes Ball Avi Arad Sony Pictures Miyamoto