Nintendo has officially announced a delay for its upcoming live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.
In a statement shared on social media today, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed the team will take "additional time" to ensure the film meets quality expectations.
The movie was originally scheduled for release on March 26, 2027, and will now debut on May 7, 2027—the slot previously occupied by the delayed Avengers: Secret Wars.
"This is Miyamoto," the statement begins. "Due to production requirements, we have moved the release of The Legend of Zelda live-action film to May 7, 2027.
"While this pushes the film several weeks beyond our initially planned window, we are using the extra time to refine the movie and deliver the best possible experience. We appreciate your understanding."
Though Nintendo did not provide specific reasons for the date change, positioning the film in the slot once held by Avengers: Secret Wars allows the company to capitalize on a prime release period while avoiding a crowded March lineup.
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Originally, The Legend of Zelda was set to release just one week after Sonic The Hedgehog 4 on March 19, 2027, placing it in direct competition with Godzilla x Kong: Supernova. Meanwhile, Avengers: Secret Wars is now slated for December 17, 2027.
With less than two years until the Zelda film's anticipated arrival, details about the project remain sparse. No casting announcements or plot information have been revealed to date.
The project was first announced in November 2023, with production led by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, former Marvel Studios CEO. Sony Pictures Entertainment will co-finance the movie with Nintendo and manage its global distribution. The screenplay is being written by Derek Connolly (Jurassic World), and Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) is set to direct.
In May 2024, Ball noted that creating a fully motion-capture Zelda film “likely wouldn’t be his preference,” especially after his work on the CG-heavy Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. He emphasized that The Legend of Zelda should feel "grounded" and "authentic."
"I want to deliver what fans truly hope for," Ball remarked in another interview. "I recognize how much this franchise means to people, and my goal is to create a serious, compelling film—one that offers a sense of escape. It needs to feel real: serious, exciting, and a touch magical."
