Nintendo Delays Live-Action Zelda Movie to Enhance Quality

Nintendo has postponed the release of its anticipated live-action The Legend of Zelda film, the company recently announced.

In a social media post this afternoon, Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto shared that additional time is needed to refine the movie's quality.

Originally slated for March 26, 2027, the film is now scheduled for May 7, 2027, taking the slot previously held by the delayed Avengers: Secret Wars.

"This is Miyamoto," the statement begins. "Due to production needs, we are shifting the release of the live-action The Legend of Zelda film to May 7, 2027.

"This is a few weeks later than initially planned, allowing us to ensure the film meets the highest standards. We appreciate your understanding."

Nintendo provided no further details on the decision to adjust the release date, but opting for Avengers: Secret Wars' former slot allows the company to capitalize on a prime window while avoiding competition with other major releases around the original March date.

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The initial release date placed Zelda just one week after Sonic The Hedgehog 4, set for March 19, 2027, and in direct competition with Godzilla x Kong: Supernova. Meanwhile, Avengers: Secret Wars is now targeted for December 17, 2027.

With less than two years until the Zelda film hits theaters, details remain scarce. No casting announcements or plot specifics have been shared.

Revealed in November 2023, the project is being produced by Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, former Marvel Studios CEO. Sony Pictures Entertainment is co-financing and distributing the film. Derek Connolly, known for Jurassic World, is penning the script, with Wes Ball, director of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, at the helm.

In May 2024, Ball noted that a fully motion-capture Zelda film “is likely not his preference” after his work on the CG-intensive Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. He emphasized that The Legend of Zelda should feel "authentic" and "tangible."

"I aim to meet fans' highest expectations," Ball stated in another interview. "This franchise matters deeply to people, and I want to deliver a serious, immersive film. It should feel authentic, cool, yet fun and whimsical."