Nintendo has officially moved the release date of its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda to May 7, 2027, a few weeks later than its originally announced debut. The update was shared by Shigeru Miyamoto via Nintendo’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, citing production reasons and a desire to ensure the film meets fan expectations.
“We will take the extra time to make the film as good as it can be. Thank you for your patience,” Miyamoto wrote.
New Release Date: May 7, 2027
This revised date positions The Legend of Zelda to kick off the summer 2027 box office season, a slot traditionally dominated by Marvel films. Interestingly, this date was previously held by Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Secret Wars, which has now been delayed to December 17, 2027.
Disney currently has an untitled project scheduled for that weekend as well, potentially setting the stage for a major cinematic showdown.
Behind the Scenes: Production Details
The live-action Zelda film is being directed by Wes Ball, best known for The Maze Runner trilogy and the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The screenplay is currently being written by T.S. Nowlin, who replaces original writer Derek Connolly (Jurassic World). Nowlin is represented by CAA and Management 360.
The movie is a co-production between Nintendo and Sony Pictures, with Avi Arad (Spider-Man franchise) and Shigeru Miyamoto (co-creator of Zelda) producing. Over 50% of the funding is coming directly from Nintendo, which reflects their strong creative control and commitment to quality.
Story and Legacy
First released in 1986, The Legend of Zelda follows the courageous elf-like hero Link and Princess Zelda as they protect the kingdom of Hyrule from the dark lord Ganon. The franchise has sold over 150 million copies globally, making it one of Nintendo’s most iconic properties.
Following the overwhelming success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023 — which grossed $1.36 billion — anticipation is sky-high for Zelda’s live-action debut.
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“[Zelda] has been in development for years,” insiders report, with Avi Arad being instrumental in bringing it to the big screen.
The Video Game Movie Boom
The film joins a growing trend of successful video game adaptations, including:
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Sonic the Hedgehog franchise (over $725M globally)
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Detective Pikachu
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Uncharted
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Sony also found massive success with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which grossed over $690M globally.
