Nintendo Shares First Look at the Live-Action Legend of Zelda Movie

 

By Jon Scarr

Nintendo surprised fans today by dropping the first official images from the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda movie. The reveal arrived on the Nintendo Today app and across social media, giving us our first look at Link and Zelda in full costume as filming continues in New Zealand. If you have been waiting to see how this world translates to a real set, these shots definitely spark some excitement.

The new stills feature Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda. Both actors are shown standing in a wide green field, which feels fitting for a Zelda adaptation. You can see the natural scenery right away and it lines up with what many expected from a New Zealand production. The scale and open space work well for a story set in Hyrule, even though Nintendo has not shared any story details just yet.

Nintendo also released a short message from Shigeru Miyamoto, who confirmed that filming is on track for the movie’s planned May 7, 2027 release. His message was brief, but he encouraged fans to wait patiently and look forward to what is coming. That small touch feels classic Miyamoto and adds a little personal excitement to the announcement.

What The Images Show So Far

There is already a lot to pick apart in just these three images. Zelda is wearing her blue outfit, which fans will recognize from Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Link, on the other hand, is wearing a green tunic that leans a little closer to designs from earlier games like Twilight Princess. It is a mix of old and new and works surprisingly well for a live-action version.

One interesting detail is that Zelda is holding a weapon while Link is not. Nintendo did not explain the moment shown in these shots, so there is nothing official to interpret here. Still, it is fun to imagine how their roles may shift in the story. The movie has no public plot summary yet, so fans will have to wait for more updates before making real connections.

The timing of this reveal is also pretty interesting since it comes just days after set footage leaked online. The official photos feel like Nintendo’s way of moving the conversation back to accurate information and giving fans a proper look at the production.

Release Plans and What Comes Next

The live-action Legend of Zelda movie is directed by Wes Ball, known for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad are producing the film together. Even though we have only seen a quick look at the characters, it is nice to have something official this early in production. Now fans have a clear starting point to follow as the movie continues filming.

If you follow Nintendo’s releases closely, you probably noticed this reveal landing right after the first trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. You can catch up on that trailer in our coverage here: The First Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer Is Here, and It Looks Stellar

And if you want more Zelda content while waiting for the film, you can check out our latest game review here: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment – Game Review

Nintendo also has a busy holiday season, with new deals and hands-on game events happening across Canada. If you want to see what is happening near you, take a look at these two posts:

Nintendo Canada’s 2025 Holiday Deals Bring Discounts on Zelda, Donkey Kong, amiibo and More, and Play the Latest Nintendo Switch 2 Games at the Nintendo Holiday Experience Across Canada.

Feeling Good About This Early Glimpse at The Legend of Zelda movie

As someone who grew up with The Legend of Zelda, it is hard not to feel a little excited seeing these characters come to life. The mix of classic green for Link and the modern blue for Zelda already shows how this movie could blend different eras of the series in a way that feels fresh. Even with so little information, the tone of these first images feels right. Natural, adventurous, and big enough to match what fans expect from Hyrule.

The movie is still early in production, so updates will likely come slowly, but this reveal is a great start. Whether you follow Zelda for the games, the characters, or the world itself, it is going to be interesting to see how this adaptation grows over the next year. Nintendo clearly wants to keep fans involved, and this first look sets the stage for a lot of fun discussion ahead.

When more images or details drop, we will cover them right here on 4ScarrsGaming.