Nintendo Confirms ‘Legend of Zelda’ Live-Action Movie: Release Date, Cast Rumors & What to Expect

Nintendo has finally lifted the curtain on its long-gestating live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, confirming that 15-year-old British actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Pinocchio, The Haunting of Bly Manor) will wield the Master Sword as Link, while rising Icelandic star Bo Bragason (Black Port) has been cast as Princess Zelda. The announcement arrived overnight via Nintendo’s official X account and quickly sent “Zelda movie” rocketing up search and social trends worldwide. Release date locked for May 7, 2027 Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that the fantasy epic has been pushed back six weeks—from March 26 to May 7, 2027—“to make the film as good as it can be,” echoing Nintendo’s well-known philosophy of delaying projects rather than compromising on quality. The studio’s revised slot places the movie at the start of the summer blockbuster corridor, directly between Marvel’s Nova and Pixar’s Toy Story 5, positioning Link and Zelda for maximum box-office visibility. Wes Ball at the helm, Nintendo and Sony sharing the rupees Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball remains attached, promising to blend cutting-edge VFX with practical sets to capture Hyrule’s sweeping landscapes. Production will be co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures, with Avi Arad (Spider-Man trilogy, Uncharted) producing alongside Miyamoto. Industry insiders report that principal photography is scheduled to begin in New Zealand this November, a location chosen for its natural resemblance to areas like the Lost Woods and Eldin Canyon. A youthful cast signals an origin-story approach Casting a teenage Link strongly suggests that the screenplay—being kept tightly under wraps—will focus on the hero’s early quest to retrieve the Triforce, rather than adapting one specific game. Bragason’s recent turn as a fierce young chieftain in Icelandic TV drama Black Port reportedly won her the role of Zelda, with producers praising her “regal intensity” during screen tests opposite Ainsworth. What to expect: dungeons, doppelgängers and musical motifs • Hyrule Castle and Kakariko Village sets are already under construction at Auckland Film Studios, according to local trade reports. • Composer Koji Kondo is consulting on the score, ensuring iconic themes like “Zelda’s Lullaby” are woven into a full orchestral soundtrack. • Stunt coordinator Eunice Huthart (No Time to Die) has been enlisted to craft wire-work sword fights inspired by Breath of the Wild’s parry system. Franchise momentum is already high The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom moved 20 million copies in its first year, cementing global appetite for the brand. Analysts at Ampere Analysis predict that a successful film could push total Zelda franchise revenue past $10 billion by 2028, rivaling Pokémon’s multimedia footprint. Fans dissect Easter eggs in first teaser image Nintendo released a single still of Ainsworth in a weather-worn green tunic, backlit against a sprawling field that eagle-eyed viewers believe is a live-action recreation of Hyrule Field from Ocarina of Time. The shot also reveals a loftwing feather tucked into Link’s belt, hinting that elements from Skyward Sword may also feature. Stay tuned: trailer likely at The Game Awards With shooting slated to wrap by midsummer 2026, sources close to Sony distribution say the debut trailer is earmarked for Geoff Keighley’s Game Awards in December 2026. Until then, expect a steady drip of casting and creature-design reveals to keep anticipation—and search traffic—soaring higher than an updraft in Hebra.