In a move that has long been dreamt of by fans, Nintendo has officially announced that a live-action movie adaptation of The Legend of Zelda is in the works. The film, which will delve into the rich lore of Hyrule, is set to be directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on the Maze Runner trilogy and the forthcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the fourth film in the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise.
Fans are celebrating the project's confirmation, particularly since Shigeru Miyamoto, the franchise's creator, will serve as its producer alongside an industry veteran, Avi Arad. The partnership between these two industry veterans is significant. Arad's extensive background in producing has seen him help put out several blockbuster hits for Marvel Studios, which he founded, including this year's critical darling, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
The financial aspects of the film are also of note, with Nintendo and Sony co-financing the endeavor, with Nintendo footing more than half of the production costs. This investment reflects Nintendo's broader strategy to expand its reach beyond gaming consoles and into the realm of mainstream entertainment, as evidenced by the recent successes of the animated Super Mario Bros. Movie film, this year's highest grossing film, as well as the continued expansion of theme park attractions.
