Nintendo has officially begun production on the live-action The Legend of Zelda film, marking an exciting milestone for the iconic franchise. The announcement arrived through Nintendo’s X account, where Shigeru Miyamoto also shared the first images from the adaptation.

This is Miyamoto. Filming is underway for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda in a lush, natural setting, with Bo Bragason-san who will play Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san who will play Link (1/2). pic.twitter.com/fbadNgaDqY

— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) November 17, 2025

First Look at Zelda and Link

Nintendo revealed three photos that feature Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link. The shots place both characters in a lush natural environment, and they immediately establish a grounded tone for the film. As expected, fans reacted quickly and praised how the cast visually matches the original designs.

Additionally, these photos confirm that cameras are finally rolling. Miyamoto personally posted the images, which further reassures fans that the project continues to move forward after a long wait.

New Release Date Set for 2027

The film originally aimed for a March 26, 2027 release. However, Miyamoto later updated fans and shifted the date to May 7, 2027 to give the team more time to refine the production. As a result, the later date reflects Nintendo’s commitment to quality as it expands its entertainment strategy.

Sony will also handle global distribution. Although the delay disappointed some fans, the new timeline ultimately offers the production team a better window to polish the ambitious adaptation.

A Strong Creative Team Behind the Project

Director Wes Ball leads the adaptation with full support from Nintendo. He works alongside producers Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, both of whom bring decades of experience in shaping iconic media franchises. Furthermore, Ball produces the film with Joe Hartwick Jr. through their Oddball Entertainment banner.

T.S. Nowlin wrote the latest screenplay draft, taking over from Jurassic World writer Derek Connolly. With this creative lineup in place, the team aims to deliver a faithful yet cinematic version of Link’s classic adventure.

Meet the New Zelda and Link

Bo Bragason, who portrays Zelda, previously appeared in Censor, The Radleys, and Disney’s Renegade Nell. She will also star in Megan Park’s upcoming YA drama series Sterling Point. Because of her growing range, she stands out as an exciting choice for the iconic princess.

Benjamin Evan Ainsworth steps into the role of Link. His past work includes Pinocchio, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and the comedy Everything’s Going to Be Great. Moreover, his background in fantasy and emotional storytelling positions him well for the hero of Hyrule.

A Franchise With Decades of Legacy

First launched in 1986, The Legend of Zelda by Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka quickly grew into one of Nintendo’s most defining series. The story follows Link and Princess Zelda as they unite to stop Ganon, a warlord who transforms into a demon king, and protect the kingdom of Hyrule.

Over the decades, the franchise continued to thrive. Ocarina of Time, released in 1998, still ranks among the greatest games ever made. Altogether, the series has sold more than 150 million units across multiple consoles.

Nintendo’s Expanding Film Universe

The Zelda film represents only one part of Nintendo’s wider push into movies. The company will release The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on April 3 next year in partnership with Illumination and Universal.

The sequel brings back much of the original voice cast and adds Brie Larson and Benny Safdie. Furthermore, Nintendo shared a new trailer last week, which builds additional momentum for its growing cinematic universe. For more updates, follow their official X account.