More than 37 years after the video game The Legend of Zelda was first released on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Nintendo is now developing a Zelda movie.
Nintendo issued a press release on Tuesday revealing that the film has officially begun development.
Shigeru Miyamoto, who co-created the original NES Legend of Zelda video game with Takashi Tezuka, is producing the film.
Miyamoto will also star alongside Avi Arad (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), with Wes Ball (The Maze Runner trilogy) directing.
The announcement also came just hours after it was announced that Nintendo’s blockbuster Super Mario Bros. helped increase the company’s overall profits.
Developing: More than 37 years after The Legend of Zelda video game was first released on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Nintendo is now developing a Zelda movie
Shigeru produces: Shigeru Miyamoto, who co-created the original NES Legend of Zelda video game with Takashi Tezuka, is producing the film
Wes directs: Miyamoto will also star alongside Avi Arad (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse), while Wes Ball (The Maze Runner trilogy) will direct
In addition to the press release, Miyamoto also issued a statement on the official Nintendo Twitter page.
“I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega-hit films,” he began.
“I asked Avi-san to co-produce this film with me, and we have now officially started development of the film, with Nintendo itself closely involved in the production,” he added.
Miyamoto admitted, “It will take some time to complete, but I hope you’re looking forward to it.”
The news comes seven months after The Super Mario Bros. Movie (based on the popular video game also created by Miyamoto) debuted to $146.3 million, on its way to $574.9 million domestically (2nd biggest gross of 2023 behind Barbie’s $636 million) and $1.362 billion worldwide .
The Super Mario Bros. movie was the first project based on a Nintendo video game since the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie starring John Leguizamo and Bob Hoskins, which was a colossal failure.
Now the new Mario Bros.’ movie turned out to be a big hit, Nintendo is looking to capitalize on that success by adapting perhaps the company’s biggest game ever.
The film is co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., with more than 50% financed by Nintendo.
Statement: In addition to the press release, Miyamoto also made a statement on the official Nintendo Twitter page
Producing: “I asked Avi-san to co-produce this film with me, and we have now officially started development of the film, with Nintendo themselves heavily involved in the production,” he added
Hit game: The news comes seven months after The Super Mario Bros. Movie (based on the popular video game also created by Miyamoto) debuted to $146.3 million, on its way to $574.9 million domestically (2023’s 2nd biggest grosser behind Barbie’s $636 million) and $1.362 billion Worldwide
Original Zelda: The Legend of Zelda was released on the Famicon system in Japan in February 1986, and for the NES in America in August 1987, with the story inspired by Miyamoto’s childhood explorations through the forest near his home in Sonobe, Japan.
Best: There have been 20 games released within The Legend of Zelda franchise to date, including 2017’s Breath of the Wild and this year’s Tears of the Kingdom (above), both of which are considered among the best video games of all time
Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. will also handle the film’s worldwide theatrical distribution.
The Legend of Zelda was released on the Famicon system in Japan in February 1986, and for the NES in America in August 1987, with the story inspired by Miyamoto’s childhood explorations through the forest near his home in Sonobe, Japan.
The original game follows Link, an elfin Hylian warrior, and Princess Zelda, who work together to prevent the evil Ganon from taking over their land of Hyrule.
The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link followed in 1988, along with A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening in 1991 and 1993, on the Super Nintendo.
Twenty games have been released within The Legend of Zelda franchise to date, including 2017’s Breath of the Wild and this year’s Tears of the Kingdom, both of which are considered among the best video games of all time.