“The Legend of Zelda ”movie: Everything we know about the live-action adaptation's release date, cast, and more

Key Points

The Legend of Zelda video game series is being adapted into a live-action film.

Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will star as Princess Zelda and Link, respectively.

The Legend of Zelda is currently slated to hit theaters on May 7, 2027.

Get ready to journey through Hyrule, because The Legend of Zelda is headed to the big screen.

After years of speculation, Nintendo confirmed in November 2023 a live-action adaptation of its legendary video game series in partnership with Sony Pictures. The film is being produced by Zelda co-creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, with Wes Ball slated to direct.

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Now that casting news is finally rolling out, anticipation for the film is only growing. Here's everything we know about the live-action Legend of Zelda movie so far, including who's playing Link and Zelda.

What is The Legend of Zelda about?

Nintendo of America

Zelda in 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom'

Plot details for the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie are still being kept under wraps, but fans can likely expect a faithful take on the beloved game series.

Director Wes Ball has teased his vision to Entertainment Weekly as "this awesome fantasy-adventure movie that isn't like Lord of the Rings, it's its own thing." He added, "I've always said, I would love to see a live-action Miyazaki. That wonder and whimsy that he brings to things, I would love to see something like that."

Ball, a lifelong Zelda fan, isn't shy about what the project means to him. "It's going to be awesome," he continued. "My whole life has led up to this moment. I grew up onZelda, and it is the most important property, I think, that's untapped IP, if you will. So we very much are working hard to do something. We're not just trying to do it because we can. We want to make something really special."

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Though Ball once floated the idea of a fully motion-captured Zelda film inspired by James Cameron'sAvatar franchise (2009–present), he's since pulled back on that concept. After working closely with Weta FX on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024), his concept has completely shifted.

Speaking to Polygon in April 2024, Ball laughed off the idea of a fully mo-capped version, saying it's "probably isn’t his choice." Instead, he hinted that the project will aim to feel more "grounded" and "real."

When is The Legend of Zelda movie coming out?

Nintendo of America

Link in 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom'

The Legend of Zelda was originally set to hit theaters on March 26, 2027. However, on June 9, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto announced on X that the movie's release date has been pushed back to May 7, 2027.

"For production reasons, we are changing the release date of the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, Miyamoto shared on Nintendo's official X account. "It will be some weeks later than the release timing we originally announced, and we will take the extra time to make the film as good as it can be. Thank you for your patience."

Is there a trailer for The Legend of Zelda?

Nintendo of America

Zelda in 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom'

As of writing, there is no teaser or official trailer for the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie.

Who's in The Legend of Zelda cast?

Nintendo; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Princess Zelda in 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom'; Bo Bragason attends the world premiere of 'Renegade Nell' on March 26, 2024 in London

On July 16, Miyamoto revealed that the movie has found its Princess Zelda and Link — and no, the former won't be played by Euphoria star Hunter Schafer, who many fans had been hoping would play the title character.

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Instead, young actors Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will take on the iconic roles, Miyamoto announced via Nintendo's official social media accounts.

"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," he wrote in a statement. "I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen."

Nintendo also seemingly shared the first official photos of the duo in costume, giving fans their earliest glimpse of the film's look and feel.

British star Bragason may be a fresh face to many, but she's already building a pretty impressive career. She appeared in The Radleys (2024) and popped up on both The Jetty and the Disney+ series Renegade Nell that same year. Next up, she'll star in the BBC One historical drama King and Conqueror (2025), as well as the upcoming YA series Sterling Point on Amazon Prime Video.

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Her costar, on the other hand, is a bit more familiar to audiences. Genre fans may recognize Ainsworth from Mike Flanagan's The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) and from season 1 of The Sandman (2022). He also voiced Pinocchio in Disney+'s 2022 live-action remake.

Nintendo; Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic

Link in 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom'; Benjamin Evan Ainsworth attends the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards on May 31, 2024

Ainsworth has kept busy since then, most recently sharing the big screen with acting powerhouses Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney in the dramedy Everything's Going to Be Great (2025). He currently stars as Mark Critch on the comedy series Son of a Critch (2022–present).

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly