Legend of Zelda Live-Action Movie Filming Begins with First Official Images of Link and Zelda

Nintendo has officially confirmed that principal photography has begun on the live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, releasing the first three official images of Link and Zelda through its Nintendo Today! app. The announcement comes after leaked set footage from New Zealand emerged online, prompting the gaming giant to share official production stills showing the actors in full costume for the first time.

British actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, 16, brings Link to life in the franchise's signature green tunic, while 21-year-old English actress Bo Bragason portrays Princess Zelda in blue Champion's attire reminiscent of Breath of the Wild. Both actors sport the series' iconic pointed ears, with Zelda wielding a bow and arrow in the released images. Leaked footage also suggests Dichen Lachman (Severance, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) appears as Impa, though Nintendo has not officially confirmed this casting.

Filming commenced in early November 2025 in Wellington, New Zealand, with production scheduled to continue through April 7, 2026. Director Wes Ball—known for the Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes—brings a distinctive vision to Hyrule, aiming for what he describes as "live-action Miyazaki aesthetics" rather than Lord of the Rings-style fantasy. "I would love to see a live-action Miyazaki," Ball explained in earlier interviews. "That wonder and whimsy that he brings to things, I would love to see something like that."

The production represents a major collaboration between longtime rivals Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, with Nintendo holding more than 50% financial stake. Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo Representative Director and creator of the Zelda franchise, serves as producer alongside Marvel veteran Avi Arad (Spider-Man films, Spider-Verse). Screenwriting credits go to Derek Connolly (Jurassic World trilogy, Detective Pikachu) and T.S. Nowlin, who joined the project in June 2025 and previously collaborated with Ball on Maze Runner.

The film arrives May 7, 2027—approximately six weeks later than its originally scheduled March 26 date—marking the first live-action theatrical adaptation of the 39-year-old franchise. With 156.28 million copies sold across the series and over $3.4 billion in revenue, The Legend of Zelda stands as one of gaming's most valuable untapped properties for Hollywood adaptation. The franchise pioneered open-world gaming concepts with its 1986 debut and achieved unprecedented critical acclaim with Breath of the Wild, which fundamentally reshaped modern open-world game design.

"My whole life has led up to this moment," Ball stated about directing the project. "I grew up on Zelda and it is the most important property, I think, that's untapped IP." Following the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023, Nintendo continues its aggressive expansion into theatrical entertainment, with Miyamoto confirming that filming is "progressing smoothly" despite the extended production timeline. Sony Pictures Entertainment will handle worldwide theatrical distribution for the film, which Ball emphasizes must "feel like something real" while capturing the wonder and whimsy that defines the franchise.

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