The live action Legend of Zelda movie has reached a milestone that fans have waited on for years: filming has officially started in New Zealand, with Nintendo confirming that cameras are rolling and that the road to release is finally real. At the same time, Nintendo has used the Nintendo Today app to drop the first official screenshots, giving everyone a clear look at the live action versions of Link and Princess Zelda, along with early hints of how Hyrule will look outside of a game console. We now know that the story is moving forward under the eye of director Wes Ball, that Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad are helping steer the project, and that New Zealand’s sweeping landscapes will carry the weight of Hyrule’s valleys, cliffs and ruins. For longtime players, this news turns years of rumors and cautious optimism into something far more tangible: a real production on real sets, with a confirmed cast, a locked in theatrical release date, and a direct line of updates through Nintendo Today. By walking through what has been announced, what the first images show, and how this film fits into Nintendo’s growing movie ambitions, we gives Zelda fans a grounded look at where this project stands and what to watch for next.
Nintendo has confirmed that the live action Legend of Zelda movie has moved from planning into active production, with filming now underway in New Zealand. That single detail changes everything, because it means sets are built, cameras are in place, and the creative team has committed to locations that can carry the weight of Hyrule’s forests, mountains and ancient ruins. New Zealand is no stranger to epic fantasy, and this time its valleys and peaks are being used to bring one of gaming’s most beloved worlds into live action. With a theatrical release currently scheduled for May 7, 2027, there is finally a clear path from today’s shoot days to the moment fans sit down in a cinema to see Link and Zelda on the big screen together. Nintendo has described the production as progressing smoothly, which is exactly what fans want to hear after so many months of silence and speculation around when cameras would actually start rolling.
Instead of relying on a traditional press tour or scattered social posts, Nintendo has once again chosen its own Nintendo Today app as the primary stage for key Zelda movie announcements. Earlier milestones, like the initial release window, also appeared there first, and now the start of filming and the first official screenshots have followed the same pattern. This approach lets Nintendo control the timing, the framing and the exact wording of what goes out, which matters when a brand is as carefully managed as The Legend of Zelda. Fans who keep Nintendo Today installed on their phones effectively get front row seats, with images and statements arriving there before they ripple out to news outlets and social media. It also quietly turns the app into a hub for film updates, which hints at how Nintendo might handle future reveals like trailers, posters and behind the scenes clips as production continues.
The first screenshots shared through Nintendo Today instantly shifted the conversation from “Will this work” to “Look at how this is actually shaping up.” In those images, fans can see Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, dressed in costumes that clearly draw inspiration from modern entries like Breath of the Wild while still feeling grounded enough to fit a live action film. Subtle details, like the weathering on fabric, the way armor sits on shoulders, and the practical design of belts, pouches and bows, hint at a version of Hyrule that feels lived in rather than glossy or overly stylized. Background elements matter just as much: distant cliffs, misty treelines and crumbling stone structures give a first taste of how New Zealand’s scenery is being framed to suggest ancient kingdoms and sacred spaces. Even without motion or sound, those stills answer a simple question that has lingered for years: can Zelda’s look survive the jump into live action while still feeling recognizably itself. So far, the early evidence suggests the team understands how thin that line really is and is walking it carefully.
Seeing Link and Zelda portrayed by real actors is a strange, almost surreal experience for anyone who grew up guiding polygonal heroes across Hyrule Field. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth’s take on Link channels youth and determination, capturing the sense that this is a character willing to shoulder responsibility far bigger than himself. Bo Bragason’s Zelda, meanwhile, carries a mix of grace and steel that fits the more active, capable versions of the princess that have emerged in recent games. Because Link has traditionally been a silent or near silent protagonist, fans naturally wonder how much dialogue he will have, how his personality will show through, and how the dynamic between him and Zelda will play out when there are human performances driving the relationship. The first images cannot answer everything, yet posture, expression and costume design already sketch the outline of a partnership where both characters matter. Instead of a distant princess waiting in a tower, the visual language hints at two adventurers standing side by side, which feels very much in line with where the games have slowly been heading.
Behind the images and filming updates is a creative team that blends seasoned filmmakers with Nintendo veterans who know exactly how much this franchise means. The movie is being directed by Wes Ball, whose work on the Maze Runner series and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes showed that he can juggle large scale world building, visual effects heavy environments and emotional character beats at the same time. On the Nintendo side, Shigeru Miyamoto is involved as a producer, joined by Avi Arad, whose long history with comic and game adaptations gives him a sharp sense of how to translate beloved characters for cinema while still making something that stands on its own. Together with Sony Pictures as a key partner, that group carries the responsibility of making Zelda’s first major live action outing feel ambitious instead of safe. Fans have not forgotten Nintendo’s caution around film projects after earlier missteps in the 1990s, so the presence of this particular trio sends a message that the company would rather move slowly with the right people than quickly with the wrong ones.
New Zealand’s role in fantasy cinema is already legendary, and now that legacy widens with the arrival of The Legend of Zelda. The country’s rugged landscapes give the production ready made backdrops for sweeping shots of plains, dense forests, icy peaks and sheer cliffs that can stand in for everything from Hyrule Field to Zora’s Domain and Death Mountain. For viewers, the benefit is simple: when Link and Zelda crest a hill or stand on a cliff, the world behind them is a real place that the camera can move through, not just a digital matte painting. That sense of physical scale helps sell the idea that this is a kingdom worth saving. From a practical side, New Zealand’s film infrastructure, crews and experience with large fantasy productions shorten the learning curve and let the team focus on getting details right instead of reinventing the wheel. Whenever fans see mist curling around distant mountains or waterfalls plunging into canyons, it will be hard not to imagine how those same vistas might feel if you could ride across them on Epona or glide over them with a paraglider.
The current plan has Zelda arriving in cinemas in May 2027, placing it in a busy but attractive part of the movie calendar where big genre projects often thrive. That timeline gives the production enough breathing room to complete principal photography, refine visual effects, polish sound and music, and run the kind of test screenings that help shape pacing and tone before release. It also gives Nintendo and Sony a long runway for marketing, from early teasers and character posters to full trailers and behind the scenes featurettes. For fans, the wait can feel long, especially when the first screenshots already spark a desire to see these scenes in motion. Yet that gap between today and release is also a chance for expectations to settle into something healthier. Instead of hoping for a perfect recreation of a specific game, viewers can prepare for a version of Hyrule that pulls ideas from across the series, filtered through a director and cast who will inevitably bring their own interpretation to the material.
The Zelda movie does not exist in isolation. It follows in the wake of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which earned more than a billion dollars worldwide and proved that Nintendo’s characters can anchor modern theatrical hits when handled with care. Since then, Nintendo has been increasingly open about its desire to release films on a more regular basis, with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie already lined up for 2026 and Zelda slated to follow as a major live action pillar in 2027. Company leaders have openly talked about building a framework that treats films as a long term part of the business rather than one off experiments. In that context, Zelda becomes more than a single project. It is a test of how far Nintendo can stretch one of its deepest, most story driven series on the big screen while preserving what players love and inviting newcomers who have never touched a controller. If it works, it strengthens the case for future adaptations of other franchises, from quieter stories like Animal Crossing to more action focused worlds like Metroid or Splatoon.
With cameras rolling but plot details still under wraps, it is tempting to fill the gaps with wish lists and elaborate theories. A more grounded approach starts from what Nintendo and the filmmakers have already said: they want a fantasy adventure that feels emotionally rich and visually striking, with echoes of big screen epics while still carrying that unmistakable Nintendo warmth. Early comments from Wes Ball have pointed toward a world that feels tangible and lived in rather than overly stylized, which fits the decision to shoot extensively on location. Visually, the first images point to influences from Breath of the Wild, yet that does not necessarily mean the story will retell that game beat for beat. More likely, the film will weave together familiar elements like the Master Sword, the Triforce and the eternal struggle with evil into a narrative that stands on its own. Fans can expect nods, easter eggs and musical cues that reward decades of loyalty, but the heart of the film has to work for someone who has never set foot in Hyrule before opening weekend.
Now that filming has started and the first screenshots are public, the flow of information around the Zelda movie should gradually pick up speed. Nintendo Today will almost certainly remain the primary launchpad for major reveals, so anyone who wants news as early as possible would be wise to keep an eye on that app. From there, official images and statements spread quickly across social platforms and entertainment sites, where analysis and frame by frame breakdowns are already becoming a routine part of the cycle. Fans can expect a first teaser once there is enough footage cut together to show a coherent glimpse of Hyrule, followed by longer trailers that dig into character dynamics and stakes. Character posters, theatrical posters and region specific art will round out the campaign, giving everyone more chances to see how this version of the world handles familiar races, locations and creatures. Keeping up does not have to mean chasing every rumor instead, the most helpful habit is simply checking official channels and trusted outlets whenever Nintendo hints that something new is on the horizon.
The start of filming and the release of first images mark a shift in how The Legend of Zelda lives in popular culture. For decades, the series has defined itself through interactive adventures, where each player’s story unfolds at their own pace. A film cannot replicate that feeling, but it can do something different: give everyone a shared version of Hyrule to talk about, quote from and revisit together. If this adaptation succeeds, it has the potential to sit alongside the games as another way people first discover Link, Zelda and their world. That might mean new fans showing up to future games because they loved the movie, or longtime players seeing familiar locations in a fresh light after watching them brought to life by actors and real landscapes. Of course, the risk is just as real, which is why Nintendo’s careful approach, choice of director and deep involvement all matter so much at this stage. Right now, though, the simple fact that production is underway and that we can see the first glimpses of this version of Hyrule is enough to make the future of the series feel bigger than it did even a year ago.
The confirmation that Zelda’s live action movie has started filming in New Zealand, paired with the first Nintendo Today screenshots, finally turns years of talk into something tangible. Fans now have real faces for Link and Zelda, real landscapes hinting at Hyrule, and a concrete sense of how Nintendo and its partners are approaching one of gaming’s most treasured worlds. With Wes Ball in the director’s chair, Miyamoto and Avi Arad guiding from the production side, and a release date circled on the 2027 calendar, the project has stepped into a new phase where progress can be seen instead of only imagined. The road ahead will bring teasers, trailers and more images, along with debates over every frame, yet this early look suggests a team that cares about tone, texture and legacy. For anyone who has ever picked up a wooden sword in the opening hours of a Zelda game, this moment feels like watching a familiar door creak open onto a much larger stage, inviting everyone to see where the story goes next.
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When did filming for the Legend of Zelda movie start in New Zealand
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Filming has now officially begun in New Zealand, with Nintendo and its partners confirming that cameras are rolling and that principal photography is underway. This marks the first time a major Zelda project has moved into full live action production, turning earlier development updates into a concrete shoot on real locations.
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Who is playing Link and Princess Zelda in the movie
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Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is playing Link and Bo Bragason is playing Princess Zelda. Their first official appearances came through screenshots shared on the Nintendo Today app, where costumes, poses and early staging gave fans a first impression of how these iconic characters translate into live action performances.
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What is the current release date for the Zelda movie
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The Zelda movie is currently planned to arrive in cinemas on May 7, 2027. That date follows an earlier window and gives the team time to complete filming, post production and marketing while lining up the movie alongside other major releases in a busy year for theatrical fantasy and game inspired projects.
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Why did Nintendo choose New Zealand as the main filming location
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New Zealand offers dramatic landscapes, experienced crews and an established infrastructure for large fantasy productions. Its valleys, mountains and coastlines provide natural backdrops that can convincingly stand in for key parts of Hyrule, helping the film feel grounded and expansive without relying solely on digital environments.
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How can fans stay up to date on new Zelda movie news
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The fastest way to catch new reveals is to watch the Nintendo Today app, which Nintendo has used for release date updates, filming confirmations and the first batch of screenshots. From there, official trailers, posters and interviews are likely to spread quickly across social channels and entertainment news outlets as the release date approaches.
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- Así se ve el live action de Zelda: Nintendo arranca el rodaje y confirma fecha de estreno, LOS40, November 17, 2025
- The Legend Of Zelda Live-Action Movie Unveils First-Look Photos Of Link And Zelda As Production Begins, Deadline, November 17, 2025
- Development of a Live-Action Film of The Legend of Zelda to Start, Sony Pictures, November 7, 2023
- Development of a Live-Action Film of The Legend of Zelda to Start, Nintendo, November 8, 2023
- ‘Super Mario Bros. Movie’ Smashes $1 Billion Globally, Variety, April 30, 2023
- Nintendo says it plans a ‘consistent release’ of new films following the Super Mario Galaxy and Zelda movies, Video Games Chronicle, November 5, 2025
- The Legend of Zelda Photos Unveil First Look at Live-Action Cast, SuperHeroHype, November 17, 2025
- Legend Of Zelda Live-Action Images Reveal Link & Zelda In First Look, Screen Rant, November 17, 2025
