Nintendo has finally dropped the first official photo teaser for its live-action Legend of Zelda movie. Shigeru Miyamoto shared on X, confirming that filming is underway and on track for its May 7, 2027, release. The image shows actors Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link on a lush New Zealand backdrop, where production is taking place. This first official glimpse of how Nintendo plans to bring Hyrule into the real world immediately set the community ablaze.
Fan speculation erupted within minutes, with viewers zeroing in on every small detail. The clues — Link in classic green and Zelda’s distinct blue attire — have led to various theories. Is this film an adaptation of Breath of the Wild, a retelling of Twilight Princess, or something entirely new drawing from multiple entries in the franchise?
“That is INCREDIBLE. Absolutely NAILED the look, and I like how it looks like the BOTW champions tunic details, but with the classic green,” wrote @ImHumbucker, thrilled.
“Will it be rooted in one of the games, or will it be an origin story. Reason to doubt is links [tunic]. As he wears his original green it could be from any story, but Zelda wearing Blue gives a hint of BoW or TotK,” ponder @Maxwell_Kenway on X.
“I don’t think this is going to be a straight up BOTW adaptation. Maybe taking elements from it,” wrote MarcsterS on a Reddit thread, unconvinced.
“This gives me the feeling they aren’t going to be adapting any one game but taking elements from each to make their own story,” added Logizmo. “I’ve been thinking it’s why they’re going live action instead of animated, less likely for people to be upset at them not adapting a game 1-1 and they can always do animated stuff down the line with Nintendo Pictures.”
Meanwhile, other fans aren’t just looking at the costumes. They’re also eyeing every creative decision made for the first-ever Zelda live-action movie.
“I think having Wes Ball as a director makes me confident that they can adapt Hyrule’s more fantastical elements into live-action,” commented GroovyDhruvy193, praising Nintendo’s choice of the Maze Runner director.
“If [Link] talks, I’m going to throw popcorn at the screen each time he has a line,” joked GeorgeEBHastings.
“Odds we get at least one “Excuuuuse me Princess!”?” wrote MaxOsi, asking the real question on die-hard Zelda fans’ minds.
Leaked set photos added even more fuel to the Zelda live-action movie debate. In a widely-circulated picture, actress Dichen Lachman appears on set in full costume as Impa. This strongly suggests that the recurring Sheikah character might play a significant role in the story.
Previously, the film was slated for a March 26 release before being moved to May 7. As we still have to wait for more than a year, expect speculation to ramp up with every set photo shared and casting announced.
