It was never approved, but you can now see what might have been.
In 2007, the ill-fated Imagi Animation Studios pitched a Legend of Zelda CGI movie to Nintendo, in a sample trailer that has only now seen public light.
Animator Adam Holmes, who supervised, shot and edited the animated pitch, posted the clip on his personal blog for all to see. Embedding of the video is not allowed, but you can check out the footage here.
A few noteworthy details are shown in the minute-long sample. While resembling an art style similar to Imagi's previous works in TMNT and Astro Boy, Link's design strongly resembles the original artwork from A Link to the Past, complete with our hero's lopsided bangs and the Master Sword's silver hilt and red grip.
Ultimately the idea was turned down, but we can only imagine what the story might have been like. Does the medium of animation still hold potential for a possible Zelda film in the future? Would a live-action adaption work better? Have your say in the Talkback thread below.