Draft:The Legend of Zelda (film)

The Legend of Zelda is an upcoming American fantasy film based on the video game series of the same name developed by Nintendo. Produced by Columbia Pictures and Nintendo, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, it is directed by Wes Ball, who produces with Shigeru Miyamoto, Avi Arad, and Joe Hartwick Jr., from a screenplay by Derek Connolly.

Development
In 2007, Imagi Animation Studios created a pitch reel for a computer-animated The Legend of Zelda film, but Nintendo did not accept the studio's offer following the critical and commercial failure of the 1993 live-action film adaptation of Super Mario Bros.. In October 2013, series producer Eiji Aonuma stated that, if development of a film began, the company would want to use the opportunity to embrace audience interaction in some capacity.

In June 2023, it was reported that Nintendo was close to closing a deal with Illumination and Universal Pictures to produce a film adaptation of the franchise following the success of their film The Super Mario Bros. Movie earlier that year. However, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri denied these reports later that month.

In November 2023, Nintendo announced that they were developing a live-action The Legend of Zelda film, with Sony Pictures co-financing and handling worldwide theatrical distribution. Wes Ball was hired to direct, with Derek Connolly writing the screenplay, and Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad serving as producers alongside Ball and his producing partner Joe Hartwick Jr. through their Oddball Entertainment company. According to Miyamoto, he and Arad had been working on a Zelda film for many years. Following the announcement, fans discovered a tweet by Ball from early 2010 which revealed that he first suggested the idea of a Zelda film, describing it as "the next big mo-cap Avatar-like movie" and saying that he "could never even hope to have the chance to direct it". In May 2024, Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman announced that the film would be titled The Legend of Zelda.

Casting
Although the casting had not been announced, Patricia Summersett, who had previously done voice work for Princess Zelda, said that she would like to reprise her role for the character. Hunter Schafer has also expressed interest in playing Zelda.