The long-rumored Legend of Zelda live-action film has officially moved into production, with new behind-the-scenes footage confirming filming is underway in New Zealand. The spy clips have sparked excitement among fans, offering a first look at the cast in costume—including Link, Zelda, and a surprising new addition that has fans buzzing.
The footage confirms The Legend of Zelda stars Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, seen in the hero’s classic green tunic, and Bo Bragson as Princess Zelda, donning a deep-blue adventuring outfit reminiscent of her look in Twilight Princess and Breath of the Wild. Her costume features leather boots, fitted trousers, and fingerless gloves—giving an adventurer’s edge to the traditionally royal aesthetic. Though some small changes appear, such as a simpler blouse design without gold embroidery, her braided hairstyle unmistakably draws from the Switch-era games.
Interestingly, the film’s story doesn’t appear to be a direct adaptation of any single game in the nearly forty-year-old franchise. Instead, early signs suggest that director Wes Ball—known for The Maze Runner films and an avowed Zelda fan—is blending iconic elements from across the series’ history. Set photos and descriptions hint at inspiration from Breath of the Wild, particularly its tone and aesthetic, even if the plot won’t follow the same story where Link awakens from a century-long slumber to face Calamity Ganon.
The biggest surprise from the leaked footage is the appearance of actress Dichen Lachman, seemingly playing Impa—a key character in many Zelda titles and a central figure in the royal family’s lore. Lachman, best known for Severance, Jurassic World Dominion, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., had not been previously announced as part of the cast, making this an unexpected but exciting discovery.
So far, Ainsworth and Bragson remain the only officially confirmed actors by Nintendo and Sony, though this new reveal suggests that more familiar names may be attached to the project. The studio appears determined to balance authenticity with high-profile talent as it translates one of gaming’s most beloved sagas to the big screen.
Ball’s adaptation is part of Nintendo’s growing push into multimedia storytelling following the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed $1.3 billion worldwide. The company has already announced a sequel titled Super Mario Galaxy, set for release in April 2026, and aims to maintain a steady cadence of film projects beyond that.
The Legend of Zelda movie is currently scheduled to hit theaters on May 7, 2027, promising to bring Hyrule’s timeless adventure, mythic landscapes, and courageous heroes to life for the first time in live-action.
