Nintendo shuts down a live action Zelda fan film, citing copyright concerns.

Nintendo has shut down Lost in Hyrule, a live-action Legend of Zelda fan film, less than a week after it launched its crowdfunding campaign. Before Nintendo and Sony officially announced a live-action Legend of Zelda film directed by Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes filmmaker Wes Ball, dedicated fans had been creating their own unauthorized adaptations—such as an Ocarina of Time animated project inspired by Studio Ghibli.

Lost in Hyrule was another ambitious fan-led project, aiming to present an "untold conclusion to the Hero of Time’s saga" following the events of Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask. The film launched a Kickstarter in early 2025 with a $30,000 goal, planning to begin production in April and release in Fall 2025. Chris Carpenter, who also served as the director, was set to portray Link, while A Series of Unfortunate Events actress Avi Lake was cast as Princess Zelda, described as a key driving force in the story.

However, those plans have been abruptly halted. In a Kickstarter update, producer Dio Traverso confirmed that the project was canceled following a cease-and-desist order from Nintendo. The team behind Lost in Hyrule had acknowledged the risk of Nintendo intervening, and Traverso expressed understanding, thanking backers for their support. Since the campaign was shut down early, no funds were collected. Nintendo Life has reached out to director Chris Carpenter for further comments on the cancellation.

Meanwhile, Nintendo’s officially sanctioned Legend of Zelda movie is currently in development at Sony. Produced by franchise creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Hollywood veteran Avi Arad—known for his work on Marvel films as well as Uncharted and Borderlands—the project has yet to receive additional updates.

In the gaming world, The Legend of Zelda franchise continues to thrive, with Tears of the Kingdom setting sales records and inspiring players since its Nintendo Switch debut in 2023. Rumors suggest a remake of a classic Zelda title could be in the works for the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, though no official confirmation has been given.