According to GameSpot, the live-action Legend of Zelda movie from Sony Pictures and Nintendo has officially started filming. Production began on November 4 and will continue through April 7, 2026, with filming taking place in Wellington, New Zealand. The cast includes Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, with Maze Runner director Wes Ball helming the project. Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto is producing alongside Marvel veteran Avi Arad, while Derek Connolly is writing the screenplay. The movie follows Nintendo’s upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie in 2026 and is scheduled for release in 2027.
Nintendo’s cinematic universe takes shape
Here’s the thing – Nintendo isn’t just making a couple movies and calling it quits. They’re building something much bigger. After the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, they’re clearly going all-in on turning their iconic franchises into a steady stream of theatrical releases. The Zelda movie in 2027, Mario Galaxy in 2026 – this feels like the beginning of a carefully planned cinematic universe.
Why New Zealand again?
Wellington, New Zealand has become the go-to destination for epic fantasy filmmaking, and honestly, it makes perfect sense. The country already has the infrastructure, the experienced crews, and those breathtaking landscapes that scream “fantasy adventure.” Following in the footsteps of Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Narnia gives this project instant credibility. But here’s my question – can they capture that same magic without it feeling like a retread?
The creative team is… interesting
Now, the producer combination of Miyamoto and Avi Arad is fascinating. You’ve got the creator of Zelda himself working alongside the guy who helped launch the Spider-Man movie franchise. That’s either going to be brilliant or a complete creative clash. And Wes Ball directing? The Maze Runner films showed he can handle action and young protagonists, but Zelda requires a different kind of fantasy sensibility. Basically, this could either be a perfect storm of talent or too many cooks in the kitchen.
The video game movie boom continues
Look, we’re clearly in the golden age of video game adaptations. Between the Mario movie’s billion-dollar success, Five Nights at Freddy’s surprising box office performance, and now Zelda getting the blockbuster treatment, Hollywood has finally figured out how to translate games to screen. The key difference here? Nintendo maintains creative control through their partnership model. They’re not just licensing properties – they’re actively building their own film division. And that changes everything.
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