Nintendo reveals first look at live-action Zelda film

Nintendo released the first official images from its live-action Legend of Zelda film through the Nintendo Today app, showing Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link in costume as production begins in New Zealand ahead of the May 7, 2027 theatrical release.9to5toys+2

The costume designs blend different eras of the franchise, with Zelda wearing blue robes similar to her Breath of the Wild appearance while Link sports a traditional green tunic reminiscent of Twilight Princess or Ocarina of Time, sparking speculation about whether the film will adapt a specific game or create an original story.nintendowire+2

Director Wes Ball has said he wants to create a "live-action Miyazaki" experience, and the film is being produced by Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto alongside Avi Arad, former CEO of Marvel Studios, with a screenplay by Derek Connolly.sea.ign+1

Nintendo has released the first official images from its highly anticipated live-action Legend of Zelda film, revealing Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link in full costume. The images, shared through the Nintendo Today app on Monday morning, mark the official start of production in New Zealand and offer fans their first glimpse of the iconic characters brought to life ahead of the film's May 7, 2027 theatrical release.9to5toys+5

The reveal follows leaked set footage that surfaced over the weekend, showing brief glimpses of the actors in costume. Nintendo's official announcement included three images accompanied by an orchestrated rendition of Zelda's Lullaby, giving fans a curated first look at the production that has been in development since its November 2023 announcement.nintendowire+7

A Blend of Zelda Eras

The costume designs suggest a fusion of different games from the franchise's history. Bragason's Zelda wears blue robes reminiscent of her Breath of the Wild appearance, while Ainsworth's Link sports a traditional green tunic similar to Twilight Princess or Ocarina of Time, notably without the character's signature cap. The design choices have sparked speculation about whether the film will adapt a specific game or create an original story that draws from multiple entries in the series.9to5toys+5

Studio Ghibli-Inspired Vision

Director Wes Ball, known for The Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, has previously stated his intention to create a "live-action Miyazaki" experience. "I would love to see that wonder and whimsy that [Hayao Miyazaki] brings to things," Ball told Entertainment Weekly in 2023. The film is being produced by Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, former CEO of Marvel Studios, with a screenplay by Derek Connolly and T.S. Nowlin.gizmodo+7

Production in Wellington, New Zealand is expected to continue through April 2026, following the same filming location that hosted Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.wikipedia+2

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