Production begins on Nintendo Zelda movie, with leak revealing details of film's plot

In its latest earnings briefing, Nintendo confirmed it will debut films regularly over the next several years. Plans to dominate cinemas are in full swing, with a promising update on the Zelda movie. Mike Odyssey noticed that the Film & Television Industry Alliance (FTIA) website had posted new information. However, it remains unclear if the movie takes inspiration from a particular Zelda game.

In July, fans learned that principal photography for the film would take place from November 4, 2025, to April 7, 2026. The release date for theaters is expected to be May 7, 2027. After an initial delay, that schedule is intact. FTIA has changed its status from pre-production to in-production. In a live-action format, the filmmakers have chosen New Zealand, a popular setting for RPG-inspired projects.

Wes Ball, who directed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, will oversee filming. Gamers also know that the Zelda movie cast includes Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth playing Link. Otherwise, the plot of the film had largely remained a mystery.

The Zelda movie may tell a familiar tale

Unfortunately, the FTIA project summary only gives a generic overview. Still, the text is slightly more detailed than previous descriptions of the Nintendo movie. A young Link must defend the Kingdom of Hyrule from the familiar antagonist, Ganon. The Triforce relic, which the evil Ganon covets, will play a pivotal role.

The summary references Link facing off against monsters, exploring dungeons, and solving puzzles. Many Zelda games feature these elements, leaving gamers with little clarity. The movie may focus on The Legend of Zelda, released in 1986. It could also be an original story that depicts events and characters from several titles.

Mike Odyssey predicts the first Zelda movie trailer could arrive by the franchise’s 40th anniversary in February 2026. During the Mario 40th anniversary in September, Nintendo announced the Super Mario Galaxy Movie. Similar to the Mario sequel, rumors suggest that Nintendo and Sony Pictures have committed to a series of Zelda films.