After four decades of adventures across Hyrule, The Legend of Zelda is finally heading to movie theaters.
Nintendo’s beloved video game franchise is getting its first live-action theatrical adaptation, with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball bringing Link, Princess Zelda and the world of Hyrule to the big screen. The film is scheduled for release on April 30, 2027, with production already completed and several major cast members confirmed.
Nintendo has also revealed that the movie will tell an original story inspired by the franchise’s 40-year history, rather than directly adapting a particular game. That leaves plenty of room for familiar characters, locations and mythology to appear in ways fans haven’t seen before.
With the release approaching, here’s everything we know about The Legend of Zelda, including who’s playing Link and Zelda, the supporting cast, what Nintendo has revealed about the story and when we might finally see a trailer.
When Does ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Movie Come Out?
The Legend of Zelda is scheduled to arrive in theaters on April 30, 2027, with Sony Pictures handling worldwide theatrical distribution.
The movie has gone through several release-date changes since Nintendo first announced its plans. It was originally scheduled for March 26, 2027, before being pushed back to May 7, 2027. Nintendo subsequently moved the release forward one week to April 30, with series creator Shigeru Miyamoto announcing the change. The film is a live-action production rather than an animated adaptation, marking a different approach from Nintendo’s recent Super Mario Bros. movies.
Who Is Playing Link and Princess Zelda?
Nintendo revealed the film’s two leading actors in July 2025, confirming Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda.
Ainsworth previously appeared in The Haunting of Bly Manor and House of the Dragon, while Bragason’s credits include Renegade Nell. Nintendo subsequently released official first-look images of both actors in costume, offering fans their first glimpse of the live-action versions of Link and Zelda.
Additional casting details emerged in August 2026, when Deadline reported that Uli Latukefu will portray Ganondorf, the villain at the center of the upcoming adaptation.
Dichen Lachman, known for her role in Severance, will play Impa, Princess Zelda’s bodyguard and advisor. Yvonne Strahovski, who portrayed Serena Joy Waterford in The Handmaid’s Tale, has also joined the cast. Deadline reports that Strahovski plays a queen, although the character’s identity remains undisclosed.
The late Sam Neill also filmed a role in The Legend of Zelda before his death on July 13, 2026. The Jurassic Park actor’s character has not been revealed, but the movie will be among his final screen appearances. Other cast members listed in secondary sources include Lydia Peckham, Albert Latailakepa, Evelyn Towersey and Faith Delany, although their involvement and character details have not been independently confirmed through the supplied trade reporting.
What Is ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Movie About?
Nintendo has confirmed that The Legend of Zelda will tell an original story inspired by the games rather than directly adapting one particular installment.
During the franchise’s 40th anniversary Nintendo Direct in September 2026, Shigeru Miyamoto explained that the film draws from the stories, ideas and concepts developed throughout the series.
“This is an original film based on the many stories, ideas and concepts of the series, built up through the games for 40 years,” Miyamoto said.
The announcement also confirmed that the movie’s official title is simply The Legend of Zelda, without a subtitle. Miyamoto suggested that the reason for that decision will become clear once audiences see the finished film.
“When we talk about The Legend of Zelda, there’s the Triforce,” Miyamoto teased. “What role do you think it’ll play in the film?”
Although the Triforce is expected to be important, Nintendo has not revealed exactly how it will factor into the story. An earlier production listing published through the Film and Television Industry Alliance offered a more detailed premise involving Link protecting Hyrule from Ganondorf, who seeks the Triforce. That description includes familiar elements from the games, such as monsters, dungeons, puzzles and sacred artifacts. However, the listing has not been confirmed as the film’s final official synopsis, so those specific story details should be treated cautiously.
Nintendo has not announced whether the movie will incorporate particular events from Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, Twilight Princess or any other individual game.
Who Is Directing ‘The Legend of Zelda’?
Wes Ball is directing the live-action adaptation.
Ball previously directed The Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, giving him experience with large-scale adventure films and visual effects. The screenplay was written by T.S. Nowlin, according to Deadline’s August 2026 reporting, which identifies him as the writer of the most recent draft.
The movie is being produced by Nintendo and Arad Productions, with Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad among the producers. Sony Pictures Entertainment is handling worldwide theatrical distribution.
Miyamoto has emphasized that Nintendo is directly involved in the adaptation’s development, rather than simply licensing its characters to another company.
“Through the creative power and visual expertise of the talented production team, it’s become an artistic work worthy of the Legend of Zelda series,” Miyamoto said during the September Nintendo Direct. “Both the development team at Nintendo and I are also involved, of course!”
Where Was ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Filmed?
The movie was filmed in New Zealand, a country already familiar to fantasy movie audiences thanks to Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Production began November 5, 2025, and principal photography wrapped in April 2026, according to production reporting and the Zelda Wiki’s compiled timeline. The country served as the setting for Hyrule, with its mountains, forests and open landscapes providing the backdrop for the live-action adaptation.
Is There a Trailer for ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Movie?
As of the latest confirmed information in the supplied sources, Nintendo and Sony have not released an official trailer for The Legend of Zelda. Fans had expected a possible first look during the franchise’s 40th anniversary Nintendo Direct in September 2026. Instead, the presentation revealed the official title and new information about the film’s approach to the story.
There have also been rumors suggesting that a trailer could arrive alongside another Sony theatrical release, but those reports have not been substantiated by an official announcement. With the theatrical release scheduled for April 2027, additional promotional material is expected before the movie arrives, although Nintendo has not announced a trailer release date.
Will ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Get a Sequel?
There have been reports suggesting that Nintendo and Sony may be considering multiple Zelda movies, potentially establishing a trilogy. Those reports have included claims about contracts extending beyond the first movie, but Nintendo has not officially announced a sequel or confirmed a three-film plan.
For now, The Legend of Zelda is the only movie with a confirmed release date. The live-action The Legend of Zelda opens in theaters April 30, 2027.
