Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda video game franchise has been one of their most iconic properties. Now, following in the footsteps of Pokémon and Super Mario Bros., it’s been announced that a live-action Legend of Zelda movie is finally on the way.
As shared via Deadline, Sony “is co-financing with Nintendo a live-action feature of popular videogame franchise The Legend of Zelda.” Furthermore, the film already has a director attached that should get fans excited: Wes Ball, director of The Maze Runner franchise and the upcoming highly-anticipated blockbuster Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will helm Legend of Zelda.
The publication also notes that Jurassic World co-writer Derek Connolly is currently penning the Nintendo film’s screenplay. Ball will produce the film with his producing partner Joe Hartwick Jr. under their Oddball Entertainment banner.
Deadline notes that the original game, “created by the Japanese game designers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, launched in 1986.” They add that the plot revolves around “the elf-like warrior Link and elegant Princess Zelda as they fight to save the magical land of Hyrule from Ganon, an evil warlord-turned-demon king.”
The film will also be produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director and Fellow of Nintendo and Avi Arad, Chairman of Arad Productions.
It’s certainly understandable to see why the film is only now getting off the ground after all this time. Nintendo recently saw great success with the release of the animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie from Illumination and Universal. Of course, having a live-action blockbuster inspired by the beloved fantasy story of The Legend of Zelda is going to be another level entirely. Especially once Wes Ball no doubt wins over audiences yet again with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Other details regarding the project are scarce, and a release date for the film has not yet been set. Hopefully more information will be released in the coming months.