Nintendo and Sony Pictures unveiled the first official images from their highly anticipated live-action “The Legend of Zelda” movie on Monday, offering fans their first glimpse of actors Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link in full costume. The photos, released via the Nintendo Today app, show the characters standing in a lush green field in Hyrule, complete with signature costumes, Zelda’s bow and arrow, and authentic Hylian details.
Production Begins in New Zealand
The images confirm that filming has officially started in New Zealand, with director Wes Ball at the helm. Ball, known for his work on “The Maze Runner” trilogy and the recent “Planet of the Apes” films, has previously described his vision for the project as “something serious and cool, but fun and whimsical,” drawing inspiration from Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki’s distinctive style.
Young Cast Brings Link and Zelda to Life
Both Bragason and Ainsworth are relatively unknown actors chosen by Nintendo, following the company’s strategy of casting fresh talent. Sixteen-year-old Ainsworth is best known for Netflix’s “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” while Bragason appeared in Disney+’s fantasy adventure series “Renegade Nell.” Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto expressed excitement about seeing both actors on the big screen when the casting was first announced earlier this year.
May 2027 Release Date
The live-action “Legend of Zelda” film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 7, 2027. This marks the first time the beloved video game franchise has been adapted into a major live-action feature film—a milestone moment after decades of fan speculation and false starts. Following the massive success of the animated “Super Mario Bros. Movie,” Nintendo is expanding its cinematic universe with a more serious, Lord of the Rings-style approach to Zelda’s epic fantasy world.