Draft:The Legend of Zelda (film)

The Legend of Zelda
Directed byWes Ball
Screenplay byDerek Connolly
Based onThe Legend of Zelda
by Nintendo[a]
Produced by
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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.

Production edit

Development edit

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..[1] 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.[2][3]

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.[4] However, Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri denied these reports later that month.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] According to Miyamoto, he and Arad had been working on a Zelda film for many years.[8] 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".[9][10] In May 2024, Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman announced that the film would be titled The Legend of Zelda.[11]

Casting edit

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.[12] Hunter Schafer has also expressed interest in playing Zelda.[13]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ The Legend of Zelda was developed by Nintendo R&D4, published by Nintendo, directed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, written by Tezuka and Keiji Terui, produced by Miayamoto, and designed by Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka.

References edit

  1. ^ Vejvoda, Jim (August 4, 2013). "Footage From the Unproduced Legend of Zelda CG-Animated Movie". IGN. Archived from the original on August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  2. ^ "You Might Need Your 3DS If There's Ever A Legend of Zelda Movie". Kotaku. October 15, 2013. Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  3. ^ "Nintendo wants to "change movies" with an interactive Zelda film". GamesIndustry. October 16, 2013. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  4. ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (June 8, 2023). "Legend of Zelda Movie: Universal Reportedly Nearing Deal for Next Nintendo Project". ComicBook. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "Mario Movie Producer Denies Legend Of Zelda Film Rumours". Nintendo Life. June 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  6. ^ "Development of a Live-Action Film of The Legend of Zelda to Start". Nintendo. November 7, 2023. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  7. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 7, 2023). "'Legend Of Zelda' Live-Action Pic In Works At Sony With Wes Ball Directing, Nintendo Co-Financing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  8. ^ Nintendo [@nintendo] (November 7, 2023). "This is Miyamoto. I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films. [1]" (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ Sharf, Zack (November 8, 2023). "13 Years Before Landing 'Zelda' Movie, Director Wes Ball Called It the 'Next Avatar-Like' Film and Said He 'Could Never Hope to Have the Chance to Direct It'". Variety. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  10. ^ Wes Ball [@wesball] (November 4, 2010). "Since I could never even hope to have the chance to direct it... the next big mo-cap Avatar-like movie should be... THE LEGEND OF ZELDA" (Tweet). Retrieved November 8, 2023 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (May 17, 2024). "Tom Rothman Fetes Columbia Pictures Centennial, Talks Quentin Tarantino, Streaming & How To Bring Young Audiences Back To Movie Theaters". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  12. ^ Gerblick, Jordan (November 11, 2023). "Tears of the Kingdom's Zelda actor says "of course" she wants to reprise her role for the live-action movie". GamesRadar+. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "Tears of the Kingdom's Zelda actor says "of course" she wants to reprise her role for the live-action movie". Variety. November 9, 2023.

External links edit