Nintendo, a titan in the gaming industry, boasts an impressive lineup of beloved franchises that are ripe for cinematic adaptation. Following the tremendous success of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, the company is eager to explore the big screen potential of its iconic IPs. In a recent conversation with investors, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa revealed that the Kyoto-based giant has exciting plans for its properties, though he kept specific details under wraps. One highly anticipated project is none other than a live-action film based on The Legend of Zelda, set to captivate audiences in May 2027.
“We released The Super Mario Bros. Movie in theaters in April 2023, and are thrilled to say that it has been positively embraced by audiences worldwide. Looking forward, we plan to debut a new animated film centered around the world of Super Mario Bros. in April 2026, followed by a live-action rendition of The Legend of Zelda in May 2027. Our strategy revolves around ‘expanding the number of people who have access to Nintendo IP,’ ensuring the vitality of our integrated hardware-software business. We have been diving into initiatives outside our traditional gaming platforms for several years, with visual content being a key focus. Rather than merely licensing our IP to external film studios, we are keenly involved in the production process, investing to ensure that the end product reflects our high standards. While we cannot reveal more details beyond the Zelda movie at this point, rest assured we are working diligently on various other captivating projects.”