Nintendo finally gave fans the moment they’ve been waiting decades for: a live-action Legend of Zelda movie is officially happening. And those first-look images? They’ve sent long-time players into full detective mode, zooming in on every blade of grass. For a franchise that’s shaped entire childhoods and dominated four generations of gaming, seeing Link and Zelda step into the real world feels both surreal and electric. It’s one thing to watch them save Hyrule in Ocarina of Time or soar off a cliff in Breath of the Wild—but it’s another to see actual actors standing in a field that looks ripped straight from the Great Plateau.
Here’s what we know so far.
Link and Zelda Have Been Cast, and They Look Like They Stepped Out of Hyrule
Nintendo chose Benjamin Evan Ainsworth to play Link and Bo Bragason to play Zelda. The first images show them side by side in a green valley with soft, hazy light and a mountain backdrop that gives off Breath of the Wild vibes. Link’s costume looks practical, not like a Halloween costume, and Zelda’s blue outfit is elegant with a hint of design inspiration from Tears of the Kingdom.
Fans noticed the costumes look worn, not shiny and new, earning Nintendo major points with long-term players. That tiny detail makes the characters feel like they’ve already been on a few side quests. If you ever spent hours in Twilight Princess running through Faron Woods or dodging Moblins in Skyward Sword, the vibe immediately feels familiar.
Nintendo also confirmed director Wes Ball is leading the project. Given his work on The Maze Runner films, audiences can expect large, sweeping action and physical world-building.
Hyrule Will Be Based on Real Landscapes
Filming kicked off in New Zealand, and it shows. The first-location stills could pass for early concept art from Breath of the Wild. Think rolling fields, tall grass, and bright skies, with the open-world sense of possibility you get when you crest a hill in the games.
While the Zelda live action movie isn’t tied to one specific video game, the visuals feel inspired by the more recent open-world entries, like the field outside Hyrule castle in Ocarina of Time. It suggests the film may mix aesthetics from several eras rather than telling a straight adaptation from a single title.
The release date is a tentative May 7, 2027, giving gamers plenty of time for speculation, excitement, and at least ten new fan-made trailers.
What the Story Behind a Zelda Live Action Movie Might Feel Like
Nintendo hasn’t released the plot for the Zelda live action movie, but we can connect a few dots. Wes Ball told Entertainment Weekly he wants the story to feel “full of wonder,” and he referenced classic fantasy films as inspiration. That alone tells us this won’t be a gritty take like Twilight Princess or a pure, bright fantasy like Skyward Sword. It will sit somewhere alone, between game adaptations.
The first images show Zelda with a quiver sling across her back, hinting at a more adventurous, active role, similar to her depiction to Tears of the Kingdom. Link also carries a simpler, more grounded version of his gear rather than anything overpowered. No Master Sword sighting yet, but fans suspect it’ll appear closer to the film’s climax.
Why Fans are Watching This One Closely
Video game movies have a bumpy history. However, Nintendo’s cautious approach since the days of the infamous Mario movie of 1993 gives fans hope. Miyamoto is directly involved in the Zelda live action movie, and he’s known to guard the franchise like the Triforce itself.
For now, we’ve got two leads who took part, a landscape that feels like Hyrule on a good day, and a director who seems excited about the material. All strong starting points for a Zelda live action movie.