The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s beloved video game series The Legend of Zelda is steadily taking shape, with official first-look images recently unveiled by the company. Released through the Nintendo News and Nintendo Today apps, the images spotlight the young actors stepping into the franchise’s iconic roles: Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link.
In these first official visuals, Bo Bragason dons the blue tunic reminiscent of Breath of the Wild’s champion outfit, armed with her signature bow and arrow, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth takes on Link’s classic hero green tunic, styled similarly to the look from Twilight Princess but notably without Link’s trademark hat. Both actors are seen sporting Hylian ears, adding to the authenticity and connection to the fantasy world of Hyrule. The settings in the images depict lush green fields, bringing to life the enchanting realms fans have cherished in the game series.
The live-action film is directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “The Maze Runner,” and produced by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto alongside Avi Arad. Miyamoto expressed enthusiasm over the casting choice this past summer, publicly introducing Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and looking forward to their portrayals on the big screen.
Both lead actors bring notable experience to the project. English actress Bo Bragason has appeared in the BBC One series “Three Girls,” Disney+’s “Renegade Nell,” and starred in the vampire comedy “The Radleys.” English actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth has voiced Pinocchio in Robert Zemeckis’ live-action “Pinocchio,” acted in Netflix’s “The Haunting of Bly Manor” and “The Sandman,” and featured in the Canadian comedy “Son of a Critch.”
Production began in New Zealand just weeks ago, signaling the start of a promising journey for fans eager to see a faithful and visually compelling adaptation. The film is expected to debut in theaters on May 7, 2027, alongside other Nintendo cinematic ventures such as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
These developments offer reassurance to fans who were cautious about how the legendary world of Hyrule, its hero Link, and Princess Zelda would be reimagined outside of the video game medium. The attention to detail in costumes and setting, combined with skilled direction and a carefully selected cast, point to a promising realization of Nintendo’s cherished franchise on the big screen. The live-action Legend of Zelda movie aims to capture the magical essence of the games while introducing these iconic characters to a new audience in a grand cinematic adventure .
