Wellington, New Zealand – Nintendo has officially confirmed that production has commenced for the highly anticipated live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, with filming now underway in New Zealand. Accompanying this announcement, the company has unveiled the first three official stills from the set, offering fans a detailed look at Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link. The movie is currently slated for a theatrical release on May 7, 2027.
The release of these official images by Nintendo and Sony Pictures follows recent leaks of on-set footage that had begun circulating online, prompting the studios to provide a clearer, official glimpse into the adaptation.
First Look at Link and Princess Zelda in Costume
The newly released stills provide fans with their first authorized look at the iconic duo in their live-action portrayals. Bo Bragason (known for Three Girls and The Jetty) embodies Princess Zelda, sporting a blue dress and plaits reminiscent of her appearance in Breath of the Wild. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Pinocchio) takes on the role of Link, with his costume featuring a darker green tunic and cream undershirt, drawing comparisons to his Twilight Princess styling.
One of the images features Link and Zelda together, set against a scenic backdrop, further building anticipation for the visual style of the film. These photos mark the first time the lead cast has been seen in full costume, confirming a strong inspiration from the beloved video game series.
Production Details and Creative Team
The Legend of Zelda live-action film is being directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on The Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The screenplay is being penned by Derek Connolly, who has previously worked on the Jurassic World movies, and T.S. Nowlin.
Veteran game designer and creator of The Legend of Zelda series, Shigeru Miyamoto, is producing the film alongside Avi Arad, former CEO of Marvel Studios. This collaboration underscores Nintendo’s deep involvement in the production to ensure the adaptation honors the spirit of the original games. Miyamoto previously acknowledged working on the project for “many years” with Arad, emphasizing Nintendo’s direct participation in its development.
Filming is reportedly taking place in Wellington, New Zealand, and is expected to continue for approximately six months, concluding around April of next year. While only Bragason and Ainsworth have been officially confirmed in their roles, rumors suggest that Dichen Lachman (Severance) may be cast as Impa, though this has not been officially announced.
Anticipation for the 2027 Release
The live-action Legend of Zelda movie was first officially announced in November 2023. With a release date of May 7, 2027, fans have a significant wait ahead. Nintendo, however, has expressed its commitment to a “consistent release cadence” for video game movies in the coming years, following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Shigeru Miyamoto has asked fans to “wait patiently and look forward to it,” indicating that while the release is some time away, more updates are expected as production continues.
