AFTER a long period of speculation, Nintendo has finally confirmed the development of a live-action film based on The Legend of Zelda.
The game’s creator and developer Shigeru Miyamoto announced this on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that he is working on the film with producer Avi Arad.
“I have asked Avi-san to produce this film with me, and we have now officially started the development of the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production. It will take time until its completion, but I hope you look forward to seeing it,” he said.
Wes Ball, the director of the Maze Runner trilogy and the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is attached to direct the film. Derek Connolly will write the screenplay and Miyamoto, who also produced this year’s The Super Mario Bros Movie will produce the film.
The success of the The Super Mario Bros Movie has seemingly inspired Hollywood to more actively chase after video game franchise adaptations after grossing US$1.362 billion (RM6.3 billion) at the worldwide box office.
In a cover story for Variety back in April, Miyamoto explained that people like him were resistant to the adaptation of video games into film due the different format of both.
“In video games there is always a player who overcomes challenges and fights their way through. Their struggle — redoing the levels over and over — is all part of it,” he explained.
“Just following the plot points of the video games will never work as a movie. Without the involvement of the player, it won’t meet expectations.”