Nintendo announces it’s finally making a live-action Legend of Zelda movie

Fans of one of Nintendo's most iconic franchises have finally been vindicated after years of waiting.

We've already seen movies for many video games, but now it seems that after a long time of waiting, a movie of The Legend of Zelda is finally in the works.

This might come as a surprise, though more because the games would seem such an obvious candidate for a movie.

There is perhaps some reason for fans to be a little nervous, as it's fair to say that movies made from video games have historically been something of a mixed bag.

Those of a more cynical disposition might look to the earlier adaptations of Super Mario Bros from 1993.

You might also look at the adaptations of Tomb Raider as a warning of what can happen.

That said, it's not all bad, with more recent adaptations showing that stories inspired by video games can be excellent pieces in their own right.

An obvious one is of course The Last of Us, which gave us one of the best pieces of television in recent years with the episode 'Long Long Time'.

However, it's probably safe to say that The Legend of Zelda will be more in line with the moderately less emotionally traumatising 2023 Mario Bros movie, or those adapted from Sonic the Hedgehog or Wreck-It Ralph.

So what can we expect from the new film?

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Well, it's set to not be animated, but a live-action film directed by Wes Ball, of the Maze Runner franchise.

The movie is being produced by Nintendo's own Shigeru Miyamoto alongside Avi Arad, a veteran of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The movie is being co-financed by Nintendo, and in a surprising development Sony Pictures Entertainment are also providing backing to the project.

You know, the Sony that makes PlayStations.

Behrouz MEHRI / AFP) (Photo by BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP via Getty Images

However, Nintendo has been quick to clarify that it will be financing more than 50 percent of the movie, while Sony Pictures Entertainment will act as a distributor in theaters.

In a tweet from the official Nintendo account on Twitter, Miyamoto said: "This is Miyamoto. I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films.

"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."

At present it's not clear exactly when we can expect the movie to hit screens, or indeed who will be starring in it, but the project is now in the works.