The Legend Of Zelda Live-Action Movie: Everything We Know About The Nintendo-Sony Movie
Zelda heads to the big screen
Following the massive success of Nintendo's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which made more than $1.3 billion at the box office, Nintendo is returning with another animated Mario movie as well as a live-action The Legend of Zelda movie. The company is leaning into non-gaming projects like this as part of a planned effort to reach people in new ways outside of games.
The Zelda movie is likely still early in the production process, but it already has a director signed on and is expected to come out before the end of the decade. The movie is a co-production between Nintendo and Sony Pictures, with Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto producing. Marvel veteran Avi Arad is another producer on the movie.
Nintendo and Sony Pictures are co-financing the movie, with Nintendo's financial stake standing at more than 50%. Sony Pictures will distribute the film globally.
In this post, we're rounding up everything we know about the Zelda movie.
In other Nintendo news, the company's next console, the Switch 2, is coming this year. For more, check out everything we know about the Switch 2.
What is the Zelda movie about?
Neither Nintendo nor production partner Sony Pictures have released the official plot synopsis for the Zelda movie. But it's a safe bet to guess that the movie will feature popular characters from the renowned RPG series, including Zelda and Link, as well as Ganondorf. The Zelda series is full of fantastical characters and environments, and it'll be interesting to see what kind of story Nintendo decides to tell, or if the film could be an adaptation of a specific game.
A key difference between the Zelda movie and The Super Mario Bros. Movie (and its sequel) is that the Zelda movie is a live-action production as opposed to an animated feature film.
When is the Zelda movie coming out?
The Zelda movie does not have a release date as of yet. It's safe to assume the movie, which was announced in November 2023, is still relatively early in the development process. As such, no one should expect to see Zelda on the big screen anytime soon. It is, however, confirmed to release sometime this decade, following the release of the next Mario animated movie in 2026.
Who's going to be in the Zelda movie?
No casting announcements have been made about the live-action Zelda movie. However, fans have said Euphoria actor Hunter Schafer could be a strong candidate to play Zelda.
Schafer reacted to this fan casting, saying, "That would be so cool. I love the game, personally. I played it as a kid, and I still play it now."
Actor Haley Joel Osment has put his name forward to play Link in the movie.
Osment said he's been a fan of the series since he was a kid and is eager to put his hat in the ring to play Link. He joked that maybe he's now too old, at 37, to play Link, but you never know.
"Oh, my hat's in the ring, they know my hat's been in the ring," he told IGN. "Link was like 37 when he did all this, right!? Seventeen, 37? As a kid, I was like, 'Obviously they're gonna make [Ocarina of Time] a movie soon, the story's all written out for you!' And you're like, 'That'd be very challenging to make into a compelling two-hour movie.'"
The creator of the Tingle character has said he hopes the character shows up in the Zelda movie, and has suggested Heroes star Masi Oka for the role.
Is there a trailer for the Zelda movie?
There is no trailer for the Zelda movie yet, and there likely won't be one soon. Rest assured, though, whenever a trailer is released, it'll be a big deal that gets the internet talking.
Who's directing the Zelda movie?
The live-action Zelda movie will be directed by Wes Ball, who is known for his work on the Maze Runner series and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The filmmaker wants to swing for live-action Hayao Miyazaki aesthetics with The Legend of Zelda movie, as well as for it to "feel like something real. It remains to be seen exactly what that means, however.
Ball, the director, previously teased his vision for the Zelda movie. "I have this awesome idea," he said. "I've been thinking about it for a long freakin' time, of how cool a Zelda movie would be... I want to fulfill 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."
What about that Zelda TV show?
Years ago, it was reported that Nintendo and Netflix were in discussions for a live-action Zelda TV series. It was reported that the TV show was aiming to be "Game of Thrones for a family audience." Nintendo responded to the report, but never flat-out denied it. In any event, though, a live-action Zelda TV show is not happening anytime soon.
Topics
-
What we know about Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs
President Trump signed a proclamation Monday imposing 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum goods coming into the U.S. CBS News White House reporter Aaron Navarro has the details.CBS News - 20h -
From Patrick Mahomes to Kendrick Lamar, we broke down everything to know about Super Bowl LIX
We have you covered with team previews, box score predictions, a breakdown of Super Bowl MVP candidates, game picks and much more.ESPN - 1d -
From Dogecoin to $Trump: everything you need know about the wild world of meme coins
Are they the same as crypto, why has the US president launched one, and who’s really coining it in? Here’s a complete guide to the latest digital money mania. Three days before his inauguration as ...The Guardian - 2d -
Here's everything you need to know about the Super Bowl
With Super Bowl LIX kicking off soon, learn more about how to watch, what time to tune in and what channel or streaming service to follow as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles.NBC News - 3d -
.jpg)
The 42 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (February 2025)
Parasite, Y Tu Mamá También, and Carry-On are just a few of the movies you should watch on Netflix this month.Wired - 3d -
The 33 Best Movies on Hulu This Week (February 2025)
A Real Pain, Arcadian, and Nightbitch are just a few of the movies you need to watch on Hulu right now.Wired - 5d -
Movie Review: A deftly choreographed nightmare unspools in Norwegian film 'Armand'
A mother is called to her child’s school for an urgent meeting with his teachers in the Norwegian film “Armand," which opens in theaters FridayABC News - 5d -
Movie Review: 'No Other Land' is a shocking look at Palestinian life under occupation
The irony shouldn’t be lost on anyone that “No Other Land,” a documentary about the systemic demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank, cannot find a cinematic home, either with a ...ABC News - 5d -
Movie Review: 'Kinda Pregnant' is kinda good
“Kinda Pregnant," starring Amy Schumer as a woman who fakes a baby bump, is a kinda throwback comedyABC News - 6d
More from GameSpot
-
Nintendo Could Have Been Bought By This Unexpected Company, Activision Founder Says
According to Activision founder Bobby Kotick, Berkshire Hathaway's Charlie Munger was at one point in time interested in buying Nintendo, or at least interested in exploring the idea of buying ...GameSpot - 52m -
New Xbox Game Pass Titles Revealed For February 2025, Including Starfield For Standard Tier
First wave for the month of love Microsoft has unveiled four new games for Xbox Game Pass this month, along with three titles getting added to the Standard tier of the subscription service. The ...GameSpot - Feb. 4 -
Marvel Star Is Trying To Get The Sleeping Dogs Movie Made--And A Game Sequel
Marvel actor Simu Liu has revealed that he is attempting to revive the Sleeping Dogs series with a movie and a sequel to the 2012 game. Liu, who starred in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten ...GameSpot - Feb. 3 -
Ys Memoire: The Oath In Felghana's Collectible Edition Gets Nice Discount For Switch
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana - D1 Refined Edition $48 (was $60) for Nintendo ...GameSpot - 58m -
Nintendo Is "Making Preparations" To Discourage Potential Switch 2 Scalpers
With the Switch 2 launching this year, Nintendo has confirmed that it is preparing to prevent scalpers from negatively impacting the release of its hybrid console. In a press conference, Nintendo ...GameSpot - Feb. 4
More in Tech
-
C. Richard Kramlich, Early Investor in Silicon Valley, Dies at 89
He was among the first backers of Apple Computer and 3Com, earning windfalls, but it was his humaneness that distinguished him from other venture capitalists.The New York Times - 3h -
C. Richard Kramlich, Early Investor in Silicon Valley, Dies at 89
He was among the first backers of Apple Computer and 3Com, earning windfalls, but it was his humaneness that distinguished him from other venture capitalists.The New York Times - 3h -
Fast break AI: How Databricks helped the Pacers slash ML costs 12,000X% while speeding up insights
ANALYSIS: Stats might be everything in basketball — but for Pacers Sports and Entertainment (PS&E), data about fans is just as valuable. Yet while the parent company of the Indianapolis Pacers ...VentureBeat - 3h -
Chinese Companies Use Legal Threats to Halt Foreign Research
Think tanks and universities have helped expose problematic Chinese business practices. Now, those businesses are accusing them of defamation.The New York Times - 4h -
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Review: Beating the Best
Beats’ most iconic workout buds are back and better than ever.Wired - 4h