Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Beau Bragason as Princess Zelda | Credit: Nintendo, Sony Pictures
As production continues on the long-awaited live-action film The Legend of Zelda, Nintendo has released the first official images that clearly show Beau Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link. The film will be directed by Wes Ball, director of the Maze Runner and Planet of the Apes series, and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad.
First look at Zelda and Link
Three photos shared by Miyamoto on Nintendo’s official X account show off the film’s down-to-earth, naturalistic setting. Bragason appears wearing a blue tunic with a quiver of arrows on the back, and Link of Ainsworth sits next to her wearing a green tunic. Even if the Master Sword hasn’t hit the road yet, it’s a familiar silhouette for fans.
Beau Bragason as Princess Zelda | Image credit: Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment
Miyamoto shares the latest information as filming continues
Nintendo game director and producer Shigeru Miyamoto released an image with a message confirming that production is currently underway. Miyamoto posted, “This is Miyamoto. Filming for the live-action movie “The Legend of Zelda” is underway in the midst of lush nature.”
He added, “It will take some time until the release, but I hope you will look forward to it.”
The update follows the announcement in January that the U.S. release date had been changed from March 26, 2027 to May 7, 2027 “due to production reasons.” Sony will distribute the film.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link | Image Credit: Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment
Cast, creators, and behind-the-scenes stories of the anime adaptation
The film marks Bragason’s biggest role to date, and his credits include The Censor, The Radleys, and the upcoming YA series Starling Point. Ainsworth’s previous works include “Pinocchio,” “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and “Everything’s Going to Be Great.”
Wes Ball is leading the adaptation behind the camera, while also producing with Joe Hartwick Jr. of Oddball Entertainment. TS Nowlin wrote the latest draft of the script, taking over from Jurassic World screenwriter Derek Connolly.
Inspired by the video game series created by Miyamoto and Osamu Tezuka, the film follows Link and Zelda as they unite with Ganon, a former warlord turned demon lord, in a fight to save the Kingdom of Hyrule.
Wes Ball promises ‘really special’ fantasy adventure
Plot details remain closely guarded, but Ball has been open about the tone he hopes to achieve. He previously said he wanted to make a “great fantasy adventure film” that captures the spirit of the classics that influenced him from an early age.
“I’ve always said, I’d love to see a live-action Miyazaki film. That sense of wonder and whimsy that he brings to things, that kind of thing,” Ball told Entertainment Weekly in December 2023.
He added that working on this project has personal weight, saying, “My life has led up to this moment. I grew up playing Zelda, so I think the most important asset is untapped intellectual property. So we’re working hard to do something.” He promised, “We’re not just trying to do it because we can. We want to create something really special.”
The road to 2027 begins
Anticipation for The Legend of Zelda is only increasing as filming is currently underway and fans are already analyzing the first look photos. This is another big step into large-scale live-action film production for Nintendo, which is riding high on the success of “Super Mario Bros. Movie” and preparing “Super Mario Galaxy Movie” in April 2026.
The Legend of Zelda is scheduled to be released in Australian cinemas on May 6, 2027, and in US cinemas on May 7, 2027.
Director Wes Ball on the set of “Planet of the Apes” | 20th Century Studios
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