Nintendo Delays The Legend of Zelda Live-Action Movie to May 2027

image: Hunter Schafer and Zelda

The highly anticipated live-action Legend of Zelda movie has officially been delayed from its original release date of March 26, 2027, and is now scheduled to hit theaters on May 7, 2027.

The news was shared by game director Shigeru Miyamoto, who posted an update via Nintendo’s official channels, stating:

“This is Miyamoto. For production reasons, we are changing the release date of the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda to May 7, 2027. It will be some weeks later than the release timing we originally announced, and we will take the extra time to make the film as good as it can be. Thank you for your patience.”

What Do We Know About the Movie So Far?

The Legend of Zelda movie was first announced back in November 2023, and excitement has been building ever since. The film is being directed by Wes Ball, known for The Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, and will be co-produced by Nintendo and Arad Productions.

Avi Arad, the man behind Marvel hits like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and X-Men, is teaming up with Miyamoto to bring Hyrule to life on the big screen.

The script is being penned by Derek Connolly, who’s best known for his work on Jurassic World.

Distribution is being handled by Sony Pictures, which marks a strong collaboration between major Hollywood players and Nintendo’s own creative leads.

Plot? Cast? Not Quite Yet...

Despite the buzz, Nintendo has remained tight-lipped on major plot details and casting announcements. It’s still unclear which game or storyline the movie will follow—or if it’ll be an original tale within the Zelda universe.

One hot rumor swirling online is that Hunter Schafer is being considered for the role of Princess Zelda, sparking a mix of fan excitement and backlash. Some have praised her fit for the role, while others have been more critical, with some transphobic comments sadly entering the conversation. As of now, no official casting for Link, Zelda, or Ganondorf has been confirmed.

Following in Mario’s Footsteps

Nintendo’s decision to enter the movie business seriously came after the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which smashed records to become the most successful video game film adaptation to date. With a Mario movie sequel already on the calendar for April 2026, expectations are sky-high for Zelda’s big screen debut.