You might have heard through the grapevine that gaming juggernaut Nintendo is making long-awaited cinematic moves with The Legend Of Zelda and, naturally, we're pretty excited.
The film adaptation of the iconic video game, which is slated for release in 2027, is the latest in a line of games to receive the big-screen treatment, from The Last Of Us, to A24's recently announced endeavour, Elden Ring. And while rumours have circulated about casting – particularly that Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer was reportedly in the running to play Princess Zelda – we've finally been given some clarity, a full cast list, and now – a first look at the film on set.
Below, everything we know about the Legend Of Zelda adaptation so far.
First-look photos from set
Who's in the cast?
Nintendo has officially cast Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda in the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda film. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will take on the iconic role of Link, her heroic counterpart.
Despite widespread fan enthusiasm and past speculation, Hunter Schafer is not involved in the project. While she once expressed excitement about the idea (In 2023, she told Entertainment Tonight, “That would be so cool. I played that video game a bunch when I was a kid. That’s such a good game.” She went on, “I’ve seen another wave of the fan cast and everything, which is just really sweet. I’m honoured that they even think of me for that.”), the recent casting confirms she won’t be portraying Princess Zelda.
When will it be released?
The movie is set to be released on 26 March 2027 according to Nintendo and Sony Pictures.
Who else is involved?
American director Wes Ball is leading the adaptation. He's best known for helming three of the Maze Runner films, so he's well versed in the world of fantasy adaptations.
Zelda creator and game developer Shigeru Miyamoto is also working the film. Back in 2023, he took to Nintendo's social media channels to share his involvement, writing, "I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films. I have asked Avi-san to produce this film with me, and we have now officially started the development of the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production. It will take time until its completion, but I hope you look forward to seeing it.” For those unfamiliar, Arad is a producer best known for his work on the Spider Man films.
What is The Legend Of Zelda actually about?
If you've never actually sat down to play the game, allow us to catch you up. First released way back in 1986, The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most iconic and enduring video game franchises. It's actually not just one game: there are over 20 main titles and numerous spin-offs, with the series itself spanning nearly four decades, and selling more than 140 million copies worldwide.
At its core, the series follows Link, a brave and often silent hero, on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and protect the magical kingdom of Hyrule from various threats — most notably the villainous Ganondorf. Along the way, players must solve puzzles, explore vast landscapes, and battle monsters, all while uncovering ancient lore and hidden truths.
Each game retells the legend with slight variations, from varying timelines, to different versions of the characters, but the key of the struggle between good and evil remains the same. In saying that, it's hard to know exactly which version the film adaptation will draw from, but there's plenty of source material to work with.
