The live-action film adaptation of The Legend of Zelda has officially been pushed back. The franchise began as a 1986 video game intended for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It was created by Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who is still heavily involved. The franchise went through several iterations, including sequel video games and a TV series in 1989. Now, it is being adapted into a feature-length live-action film. The movie will be directed by Wes Ball, who recently helmed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. No casting or plot information has been announced.

As per Nintendo, the release date for the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie has changed. The movie will now arrive on May 7, 2027. This shifts the release date from the originally announced date of March 26, 2027. In explaining this shift, Miyamoto and Nintendo cited “production reasons” as the cause of the delay. They promised, however, that they would “take the extra time to make the film as good as it can be.”

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What This Means For The Legend Of Zelda

The Movie Was Announced In 2023

While this delay is somewhat disappointing, the time difference between the original date and this revised version is actually not that extreme. In fact, there was a time when The Legend of Zelda could have come out as late as 2029. In a November 2024 report, Nintendo had set the movie’s release date for “202X.” This estimate promised that the movie would be put out sometime within this decade, but allowed for a window that extended up through 2029. This update further ensures it will be coming in 2027.

Despite the small difference, however, it is still not a great sign that The Legend of Zelda is coming out later than expected. The movie was initially announced in November 2023, but it was not until this year that it actually secured a release date. While a director is attached, limited progress has been made in other regards. The exact nature of the production delays that caused the release date shift is unknown, but indicate that the original schedule could not be followed. Hopefully, the team can hit their new May 7, 2027 release date.

Our Take On The Legend Of Zelda’s Release Date Delay

They Should Really Use Their Time For Good

My biggest hope in light of this release date delay is that Miyamoto and Nintendo follow through with their promise that they will use the extra time to the film’s benefit and not its detriment. Miyamoto’s involvement alone is a good sign for The Legend of Zelda live-action movie, as his creative vision is central to the fabric of the franchise. Fans have spent decades with the Legend of Zelda games at this point, so the movie has big shoes to fill, but with this extra time it will hope to live up to that daunting legacy.

Source: Nintendo