Live-Action Zelda Movie, Link and Zelda Revealed

The Legend of Zelda Live-Action Movie Is Coming in 2027, and It’s Already Got Us Hyped!

Nintendo dropped a bombshell today, July 16, 2025, that’s got every Zelda fan’s heart racing: a live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is officially set to hit theaters on May 7, 2027. After decades of dreaming, fan-made mock trailers, and endless speculation, Link and Zelda are finally making the leap to the big screen. This isn’t just a pipe dream anymore—it’s happening, and the details we’ve got so far are enough to make us dust off our ocarinas and start counting down the days. Here’s what we know about this massive project, from the team behind it to the casting that’s already sparking debates.

宮本です。「ゼルダの伝説」の実写映画は、ゼルダ役をBo Bragasonさん、リンク役をBenjamin Evan Ainsworthさんに演じていただくことになりました。おふたりの出演が今から楽しみです。「ゼルダの伝説」実写映画は2027年5⽉7⽇に劇場公開予定です。もうしばらくお待ちください。 pic.twitter.com/jctWHvvYgi
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) July 16, 2025

Directing the film is Wes Ball, known for the Maze Runner trilogy and the visually stunning Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Ball’s got a knack for blending action with rich, immersive worlds, and he’s aiming high here. He’s described the movie as a “live-action Miyazaki,” which immediately conjures images of Hyrule’s rolling fields and shadowy dungeons with the soulful, handcrafted feel of a Studio Ghibli classic. Unlike some of his past work, Ball’s leaning away from heavy motion-capture tech, promising a grounded, tactile take on the Zelda universe that still captures its magic.

Shigeru Miyamoto, the mastermind behind The Legend of Zelda and Nintendo’s most iconic franchises, is producing alongside Hollywood veteran Avi Arad (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Uncharted). This isn’t a case of Nintendo handing off their baby to a studio and hoping for the best—they’re funding over half the project, with Sony Pictures handling distribution. The script comes from T.S. Nowlin, who wrote The Maze Runner and The Adam Project, taking over from an earlier draft by Derek Connolly. With this crew, it’s clear Nintendo’s treating this as a passion project, not just a cash grab.

Today’s announcement also gave us our first big casting reveal, and it’s a bold one. Bo Bragason is set to play Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will step into Link’s iconic green tunic. Both are younger actors with solid credits—Bragason’s been making waves in smaller roles, and Ainsworth stood out in The Haunting of Bly Manor. They’re not the A-list names some fans were tossing around (sorry, no Hunter Schafer or Tom Holland just yet), but they bring a fresh energy that could make these characters their own. Miyamoto himself shared the news on social media, sounding genuinely excited about seeing these two bring Hyrule’s heroes to life.

No word yet on who’s playing Ganondorf, Impa, or any other fan-favorite characters. Will we see a menacing Gerudo king or maybe a sassy fairy like Navi? The internet’s already buzzing with theories, and I’m personally holding out hope for a Goron with some serious screen presence.

Here’s the big question: what’s this movie actually about? Nintendo’s keeping the plot under wraps, which is probably smart given how much fans love to nitpick. The Zelda series has nearly 20 games to draw from, each with its own spin on Link, Zelda, and the eternal struggle over the Triforce. Could we get a straight adaptation of Ocarina of Time, with its time-hopping adventure and iconic moments? Or maybe something inspired by Breath of the Wild’s open-world sprawl? There’s also talk of an original story that pulls elements from across the franchise, which could let the filmmakers craft something new while staying true to the series’ heart.

Wes Ball has hinted at wanting to avoid a generic fantasy epic vibe—think less Lord of the Rings and more of a unique, character-driven adventure with Zelda’s signature mix of wonder and danger. Picture Link battling Stalfos in a misty forest or Zelda wielding her magic in a crumbling temple. Whatever the story, Miyamoto’s involvement gives us confidence it’ll feel like Zelda through and through.

The choice to go live-action instead of animated has been divisive since the project was first teased back in 2023. Zelda’s art styles—from Wind Waker’s cartoonish charm to Tears of the Kingdom’s painterly vistas—seem tailor-made for animation. Some fans on X and Reddit are worried a live-action Hyrule might feel too “cosplay” or lean on wonky CGI for creatures like Keese or Zora. But the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which pulled in over $1.3 billion, shows Nintendo knows how to handle its IPs. With Miyamoto steering the ship and Ball’s track record with practical effects, there’s a good chance this’ll look and feel like the Hyrule we’ve explored for years.

This movie is part of a bigger play by Nintendo to expand beyond games. After The Super Mario Bros. Movie crushed it, they’re clearly confident in bringing their worlds to theaters. The Zelda film’s release was bumped from March to May 2027 for “production reasons,” which hopefully means extra time to get the visuals and story just right. Nintendo also announced the news through their new Nintendo Today! app, a slick move to connect directly with fans before the story hit social media.

With filming likely starting in 2026 (maybe in New Zealand’s epic landscapes?), we’re still a ways off from a trailer. But the hype is real. Fans are already flooding forums with dream casts for Ganondorf (Idris Elba, anyone?) and theories about whether we’ll see Epona galloping across the screen. The Zelda franchise is riding high after Echoes of Wisdom proved it’s still a cultural juggernaut, and this movie could take it to new heights.

So, what’s next? We’ll likely get more casting news soon, and I’m crossing my fingers for a teaser by late 2026. For now, the Legend of Zelda live-action movie is shaping up to be a love letter to fans and a bold step for Nintendo’s cinematic ambitions. Whether you’re thrilled about Link and Zelda in the flesh or nervous about how it’ll all come together, one thing’s for sure: this is going to be an adventure worth watching. What do you think—ready to see Hyrule on the big screen, or are you holding out for that animated masterpiece? Drop your thoughts below.