This action-adventure game has had a ravenous fan-base since Nintendo released it to the masses back in 1986.  The fantasy world of Hyrule and the characters Link, Princess Zelda and Ganon, have captured the imaginations of a global audience for the past 37 years so the news that a live-action movie based off the game has sparked joy and fear around the world.  Joy because fans will finally get a live-action movie for their favorite game, FEAR because die-hard fans are VERY protective of this franchise and the casting and storytelling HAS to be on point for this to be a success.

Art by Raf Banzuela

Nintendo released a press release that does not give a ton of information but it DOES give fans hope that this project is moving forward and to stay tuned.  Check out the press release below.

Nintendo’s Representative Director and President Shuntaro Furukawa, just announced that it will develop a live-action film of The Legend of Zelda.

Art by Raf Banzuela

The film will be produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, Representative Director and Fellow of Nintendo and Avi Arad, Chairman of Arad Productions Inc., who has produced many mega hit films.

The film will be produced by Nintendo and Arad Productions Inc., and directed by Wes Ball. The film will be co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., with more than 50% financed by Nintendo. The theatrical distribution of the film will be done worldwide by Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

Art by Raf Banzuela

By producing visual contents of Nintendo IP by itself, Nintendo is creating new opportunities to have people from around the world to access the world of entertainment which Nintendo has built, through different means apart from its dedicated game consoles.

By getting deeply involved in the movie production with the aim to put smiles on everyone’s faces through entertainment, Nintendo will continue its efforts to produce unique entertainment and deliver it to as many people as possible.

Art by Raf Banzuela

Fingers crossed that this project gets fast-tracked once the strikes are over.  Personally, we think artist Raf Banzuela would be a perfect person to do the official poster for this film.  As you can see, he is a HUGE Zelda fan and his art REALLY lends itself well to the franchise as a whole.