There’s still a long wait before theLegend of Zeldamovie is released, but this is actually excellent news. Following the global success of Illumination’sThe Super Mario Bros Movie, Nintendo has gone all in on bringing its classic video games to the big screen. AMariosequel is on the way, expected to hit theaters in 2026, and the live-actionLegend of Zeldamovie is also confirmed and in the works. Though an exact release date has not been confirmed, the upcoming film was given therelease window of “202X,“indicating thatLegend of Zeldashould be released in 2029 at the latest.
While this elusive release year doesn’t reveal much,it indicates thatLegend of Zeldawon’t hit theaters any time soon. No plot details have been made public, and it’s unclear when intheZeldatimelinethe movie will be set. About all that has been confirmed is that Wes Ball (The Maze Runner,Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) will direct while Derek Connolly (Jurassic World) writes the script.TheLegend of Zeldamovie is also being made with the close cooperation of Nintendo, which is always a good sign. Still, one of the most exciting features of the film will be made possible by our long wait.
Legend Of Zelda Movie Taking Its Time Means Its Visual Effects Can Live Up To The Games
Slow & Steady Is A Great Sign
The release window for theLegend of Zeldamovie indicates that Ball plans to take his time with this project, and this hopefully means that the visual effects will be astounding. TheZeldavideo games have always been known for their exceptional visuals since every release tends to be groundbreaking in game design.The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Timebrought Hyrule to 3D, and every title since has taken the breathtaking features of this fantasy kingdom to the next level. Now, theZeldamovie must follow suit.
Bringing aLegend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom-style Hyrule to the screen will require a lot of time and work. Sets must be constructed, scenic filming locations must be secured, and CGI must be carefully utilized.One of the common fears following theannouncement of theZeldamoviewas that this process would be rushed, but Ball has given every indication that he is handling this IP with great care—something Nintendo’s release window further supports. Ball has also teased his vision for the upcoming film, stating that he will take a “grounded” approach to the project. This bodes well, also.
Legend Of Zelda Will Be Grounded, But It Can Still Be An Impressive Visual Experience
Ball’s Practical Approach Is Far Better Than His Previous Plan
Long before Ball was officially tied to aLegend of Zeldamovie, he posted onTwitter(nowX) that he would love to do a full motion-captureZeldamovie. However, he has since changed his mind (viaPolygon). Ball has instead explained thathe wants to take a more grounded and “real” approach to Hyrule. This is a relief sinceZeldafans have already seen full CGI renderings of this fantasy world and its characters time and time again—it’s a video game franchise, after all. The benefit of a live-actionZeldamovie would a version that is both immersive and believably realistic.
The benefit of a live-actionZeldamovie would a version that is both immersive and believably realistic.
Those who have enjoyed exploring Hyrule in thevariousZeldagameswant an opportunity to see a real version on screen—to feel like they are closer to losing themselves in this fantasy kingdom than ever before. It certainly seems that this is Ball’s vision, andNintendo’s release window has given him enough time to make this happen. While there are still many ways this could go wrong, it sounds as if the project is currently on the right track.
What The Legend Of Zelda Live-Action Film Should Look Like
Ball’s Vision Sounds Intriguing
Live-action high fantasy worlds are nothing new, so Ball has a lot of potential inspiration forbringingZeldato the screen. Perhaps the most notable example would be Peter Jackson’s version of Middle-earth in hisLord of the Ringsmovies, which were famously filmed predominantly in breathtaking New Zealand. Ball could certainly take this route, and a similarly styled Hyrle could check many fans' boxes. However,Ball’sZeldamovie must differentiateitself from other projects within the genre. Hyrle is unique compared to other high-fantasy worlds.
Ball interestingly noted thathe wanted hisZeldamovie to feel like a live-action Miyazaki movie, referencing Studio Ghibli’s animated classics likeHowl’s Moving Castle,Spirited Away, andPrincess Mononoke. This is an intriguing prospect. Miyazaki’s animated worlds are notably light and whimsical, with touches of eerie darkness perfectly woven throughout. They have a recognizable aesthetic, which would blend beautifully with the world ofZelda. Precisely how Ball will pull this off in live-action is another question, but if he can capture a similar tone, theLegend of Zeldamovie will be absolutely lovely.
