Credit: NintendoNintendo’s upcoming live-action movie adaptation of the hit video game series The Legend of Zelda has officially started filming in New Zealand.
Earlier this year, Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto announced the film’s leads, Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who will play Princess Zelda and Link, respectively.
He shared the following statement on X:
“This is Miyamoto. I am pleased to announce that for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, Zelda will be played by Bo Bragason-san, and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san. I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen. (1/2)”
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
Related: ‘Zelda’ Teaser Has Us VERY Excited for the Live-Action Film
The post was accompanied with two headshots of Bragason and Ainsworth, seemingly posing as their respective characters.
Fans of the long-running franchise were quick to praise Nintendo for casting two relatively unknown talents as the fan-favorite characters, with many fearing that big-name actors such as Tom Holland and Zendaya from the MCU’s Spider-Man films would be cast as the leads.
That’s not to say the casting news was without controversy, though. Several trans rights activists criticized the decision to cast Bo Bragason over trans actor Hunter Schafer, who’s best known for her role in the hit series Euphoria. This came after Schafer had been “fan-cast” into the role; however, she was never actually in talks to play Princess Zelda in the film.
Related: Outrage Over ‘Zelda’ Casting Peaks as Fan Targets Franchise Creator With Violent Post
Now, we finally have our first look at Princess Zelda in two leaked set videos.
The first of the two videos shared by “bea; SlLENTPRINCESS” shows Bragason as Zelda, dressed in a blue dress and with her signature pointed ears, speaking to an unknown character who looks to be played by Dichen Lachman (Jurassic World Dominion) in a forest.
— bea; SlLENTPRINCESS (@dutiesofcare) November 15, 2025
The second shows Ainsworth as Link, who’s sporting a mop of blonde hair and is dressed in a blue tunic. Although it’s not as clear as the first as he’s turned away from the camera.
— bea; SlLENTPRINCESS (@dutiesofcare) November 15, 2025
The Legend of Zelda was first announced by Nintendo in late 2023 following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie earlier that year, which grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide.
The film is being directed by Wes Ball (Maze Runner, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) and co-produced by Shigeru Miyamoto. While plot details are under wraps, it follows the hero Link (Ainsworth) as he battles to save Zelda (Bragason) from evil forces in the Kingdom of Hyrule, a story that has been reinterpreted many times throughout the games’ history.
Meanwhile, the sequel to Nintendo’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie has unveiled its first official trailer, which sees the return of Chris Pratt (Mario) and Jack Black (Bowser):
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie releases on April 3, 2026.
The Legend of Zelda releases on May 7, 2027.
Are you excited about The Legend of Zelda? Let us know in the comments!