Nintendo has officially revealed plans to develop a live-action film based on The Legend of Zelda franchise. The announcement came from Shigeru Miyamoto, representative director and fellow of Nintendo, along with Avi Arad, the former chief creative officer of Marvel Entertainment, who will be producing the film.
Wes Ball, known for directing the Maze Runner trilogy and the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, has been chosen as the director. The project will be a collaboration between Nintendo, Arad Productions, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, with Nintendo financing over 50% of the production.
Expanding the Nintendo Universe
Nintendo aims to extend its reach beyond gaming consoles and create new avenues for fans to experience their iconic characters and stories. By venturing into movie production, the company hopes to bring the world of entertainment it has built to a wider audience. Nintendo's previous foray into Hollywood was the highly successful co-production with Illumination for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which has grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide since its release in April.
A Long-Awaited Project
Shigeru Miyamoto expressed his excitement about the live-action Zelda film, stating that he has been working on it for many years alongside Avi Arad. With Nintendo heavily involved in the production, Miyamoto anticipates a project that will bring smiles to the faces of fans worldwide. While the completion of the film will take time, he encourages fans to eagerly await its release.
The Legend of Zelda's Success
The Legend of Zelda franchise, which debuted in 1986, has achieved remarkable success, selling over 130 million units to date. The latest installment, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, released in May for the Nintendo Switch, became the fastest-selling game in the series' history. Within just three days, it sold 10 million copies worldwide, breaking records in Europe and the Americas. As of September, the game has sold a staggering 19.5 million copies.
Nintendo's Vision for the Future
Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa emphasized the company's commitment to expanding its visual content offerings. Last year, Nintendo consolidated Nintendo Pictures Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary, demonstrating their dedication to bringing their characters and worlds to life through various mediums. While celebrating the success of the Mario movie, Furukawa assured fans that Nintendo would continue to preserve the unique characteristics of each intellectual property while expanding their audience and invigorating their core video game platform business.
Nintendo's decision to create a live-action Zelda movie in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment marks an exciting new chapter for fans of the beloved franchise. With the involvement of industry veterans and Nintendo's commitment to delivering unique entertainment experiences, anticipation for this cinematic adventure is sure to grow.
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