Lead: Sony and Nintendo have released the first images from their live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, posted on Nintendo’s Today app on Monday. The photos show young actors Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, both in full costume with Hylian ears; Zelda is pictured with a bow and arrow in a verdant field. The film, directed by Wes Ball, is scheduled to open in theaters on May 7, 2027, and is produced by Nintendo veteran Shigeru Miyamoto.
Key Takeaways
- Images released on the Nintendo Today app on Monday reveal Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link in live-action costumes.
- Wes Ball, director of The Maze Runner series and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is directing the film slated for May 7, 2027 release.
- Photographs show both leads wearing Hylian ears; Zelda is pictured armed with a bow and arrow in a green field setting.
- Shigeru Miyamoto is listed as a producer and publicly confirmed the casting earlier this year via social post.
- Bragason’s credits include BBC One’s Three Girls, The Jetty, Renegade Nell (Disney+), and last year’s vampire comedy The Radleys.
- Ainsworth’s credits include voice work in Robert Zemeckis’ Pinocchio, Miles in Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor, and roles in Son of a Critch and an episode of The Sandman.
- The initial image drop was limited to a small set of promotional stills; no footage or extended production images were released with the announcement.
Background
The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s longest-running and most influential franchises, first launched in 1986 and expanded across dozens of games, spin-offs and merchandise. Its mixture of fantasy, puzzle-solving and high-stakes adventure has built a global fanbase and a deep lore centered on the recurring figures of Link and Zelda, the Triforce, and the kingdom of Hyrule. Translating that layered mythology to live action has been attempted conceptually by fans for years but until now had not been undertaken by Nintendo at this scale.
Nintendo has taken an increasingly hands-on role in screen adaptations of its properties since the global success of recent animated and cinematic projects. Partnering with Sony Pictures and hiring an experienced genre director like Wes Ball signals an intent to balance blockbuster production values with respect for the source material. Producer Shigeru Miyamoto’s involvement is notable: as the franchise’s original creator, his participation is often read as a guarantor of fidelity to core game elements.
Main Event
The new stills, made public via Nintendo’s Today app, present a youthful Link and Zelda in costume, with the actors photographed in a pastoral, green landscape. Zelda, portrayed by Bo Bragason, is shown with a bow and arrow, indicating the filmmakers are drawing on the character’s traditional combat abilities. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth’s Link appears in the franchise’s familiar green garb and distinctive Hylian ear prosthetics.
Nintendo and the film’s production teams have not released detailed plot information alongside the images; the studio’s early marketing is limited to casting confirmation and the May 7, 2027 release date. Wes Ball—whose résumé includes The Maze Runner trilogy and the recent Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes—brings experience with effects-driven franchises, which suggests the film will pursue a large-scale cinematic approach.
Shigeru Miyamoto publicly announced the casting over the summer in a social post that named Bragason and Ainsworth as the leads and expressed anticipation for seeing them on the big screen. The images now provide the first visual cue about the movie’s aesthetic choices, including costume design and a willingness to retain certain iconic visual traits from the games, such as Hylian ears and classic weaponry.
Analysis & Implications
Translating a beloved interactive franchise into a linear film presents creative trade-offs. The games’ sense of exploration and player-driven discovery must be reframed into a screenplay structure that supports character arcs and cinematic tension. Retaining recognizable visual markers—Link’s green tunic, Zelda’s bow, the Hylian ears—helps reassure fans but does not guarantee success unless narrative and tonal choices satisfy both newcomers and long-term players.
Wes Ball’s appointment signals a preference for directors with franchise and effects experience. Ball’s prior films balanced action set pieces and visual effects with character-focused moments; the Zelda adaptation will likely require similar calibration to keep the fantasy elements immersive without overwhelming the story. The involvement of Miyamoto could temper more drastic departures from source material, but creative control in such partnerships is often shared with studio producers and screenwriters.
Commercially, Nintendo’s intellectual property carries strong box-office potential—especially with cross-generational name recognition—but success will depend on marketing, critical reception, and word-of-mouth. The May 7, 2027 release positions the film in a competitive spring-summer window, where tentpoles frequently vie for family audiences and franchise fans. Early imagery and casting choices aim to build positive anticipation, but subsequent trailers and early reviews will be the clearest indicators of mainstream appeal.
Comparison & Data
| Title | Director | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda (live-action) | Wes Ball | May 7, 2027 |
| The Super Mario Bros. Movie (animated) | Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic | April 5, 2023 |
| Pinocchio (live-action, voice role) | Robert Zemeckis | 2022 |
This simple comparison shows the Zelda adaptation joining a recent wave of high-profile Nintendo-associated screen projects following The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Benjamin Evan Ainsworth’s prior voice work in Robert Zemeckis’ Pinocchio (2022) indicates the actor already has experience with family-oriented, effects-heavy film production. The table is a snapshot for context rather than a predictor of box office performance.
Reactions & Quotes
“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.”
Shigeru Miyamoto (social post)
Nintendo posted the first-look images on its Nintendo Today app, highlighting costume choices and confirming the leads ahead of the film’s 2027 release.
Nintendo Today (official app)
Fan response on social platforms has been mixed but broadly enthusiastic: many praised the casting of young actors who resemble the game’s characters, while some community members reserved judgment until footage reveals tone and storytelling choices. Industry observers note that early visual fidelity to franchise iconography is a common strategy to placate core fans during a franchise adaptation’s marketing rollout.
Unconfirmed
- No official plot synopsis has been released; story details such as which game(s) will be adapted are unconfirmed.
- Supporting cast beyond the two leads has not been publicly disclosed or verified.
- Production timeline and whether the film will rely primarily on practical effects, CGI, or a hybrid approach remain unconfirmed.
Bottom Line
The first official images from the live-action Legend of Zelda provide a controlled, early look that emphasizes costume design and the casting of two young leads. With Wes Ball directing and Shigeru Miyamoto producing, Nintendo and Sony are signaling a serious studio effort that combines franchise stewardship with blockbuster filmmaking experience.
Key questions remain—chiefly narrative scope, tone, and how faithfully the film will translate the games’ interactive sense of exploration to a two-hour format. Fans and industry watchers should watch for trailers and festival screenings in the run-up to the May 7, 2027 release for clearer indicators of the adaptation’s direction and box-office prospects.
Sources
- Variety (media report)
- Nintendo / Nintendo Today app (official announcement/images)