Nintendo has finally lifted the curtain on the highly anticipated live action Legend of Zelda film, giving fans their first look at Link and Princess Zelda as they appear on the big screen. The images, revealed through the Nintendo Today app, showcase the film’s young leads in full costume as production continues toward its 2027 release.
A First Look at Link and Zelda
Nintendo’s first batch of official stills highlights actors Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who step into the iconic roles of Princess Zelda and Link. The photos show the pair standing in a sweeping green field, dressed in full battle gear complete with Hylian ears. Zelda carries her signature bow and arrow, while Link sports his classic green adventurer’s outfit, grounding the film firmly in the series’ long-established visual identity.
The images are the very first glimpse fans have seen of the live action adaptation, creating immediate buzz across social media. With both leads in character, the film already appears to embrace the fantasy scale and tone that long-time players have come to love.
The Cast Bringing Hyrule to Life
Bo Bragason, best known for roles in BBC One’s Three Girls, The Jetty, and Disney+’s Renegade Nell, brings a young and magical presence to Princess Zelda. She also appeared in Euros Lyn’s vampire comedy The Radleys, showing her range before taking on one of Nintendo’s most beloved characters.
Image Credit: Nintendo
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who voices Pinocchio in Robert Zemeckis’ live action remake and played Miles in The Haunting of Bly Manor, steps into the boots of Link. His recent appearances include the comedy series Son of a Critch and an episode of The Sandman.
Image Credit: Nintendo
The film also stars Australian actor Dichen Lachman as Impa, a move that further rounds out the cast with familiar talent from both film and television.
Behind the Scenes with Wes Ball
Wes Ball, known for directing The Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is helming the project. Ball’s background in large-scale, effects-driven filmmaking positions him well for a world as expansive as Hyrule, and early comments hint at the team using advanced simul-cam techniques to bring the world to life.
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of the Zelda franchise, is producing alongside Avi Arad. Miyamoto previously shared his excitement, noting that the casting of Bragason and Ainsworth was carefully chosen to capture the spirit of the characters in a live action setting.
A Major Milestone for the Zelda Franchise
First released in 1986, The Legend of Zelda series has grown into one of gaming’s most influential franchises, with more than twenty mainline titles and countless spin-offs. While the series has seen animated adaptations before, this upcoming film marks the first attempt at a full live action feature.
The storyline is expected to follow the legendary partnership between Link, a young hero of the Hylian race, and Princess Zelda, the heir to the bloodline of Goddess Hylia. Although exact plot details remain secret, the visual direction suggests a faithful approach that draws from the franchise’s long legacy.
When Does It Release?
Sony and Nintendo’s live action Legend of Zelda film is currently set to hit cinemas on 7 May 2027. With filming underway and the first look already making waves, the wait for Hyrule’s big screen debut has officially begun.
Fans can expect more details, trailers, and world-building previews in the coming months as Nintendo ramps up promotion.