The kingdom of Hyrule has officially made the leap to live-action.
Nintendo has revealed the first photos ofLink and Zeldafrom the upcominglive-action movie based on the "Legend of Zelda"video game franchise.
The photos, which wereshared on the Nintendo Todayapp on Nov. 17, showed the characters in a wide-open field. It's unclear if the film will be an adaptation of any one "Zelda" game, though the first-look was reminiscent of 2017's "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," in which players explore an expansive outdoor map. Critics have hailed "Breath of the Wild" as one of the greatest video games ever made.
Nintendo released the photos along with the announcement that the "Zelda" movie has started filming.
宮本です。素晴らしい大自然で、ゼルダ役のBo Bragasonさん、リンク役のBenjamin Evan Ainsworthさんとともに「ゼルダの伝説」実写映画の撮影を本格的に開始しました。撮影は順調に進んでいますので静かに見守っていただけると幸いです。劇場公開は2027年5月7日予定です。もうしばらくお待ちください。pic.twitter.com/DbSAWWcCpC
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo)November 17, 2025
'Legend of Zelda' cast
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is starring as Link in the "Legend of Zelda" feature film, while Bo Bragason is playing the role of Princess Zelda,Nintendo announced in July.
Both actors are relative unknowns, though Ainsworth previously appeared in Netflix's "The Haunting of Bly Manor," while Bragason's credits include "Renegade Nell."
Link is generally the main, player character of the "Legend of Zelda" video games, which typically involve the young adventurer setting out to save Hyrule from the evil Ganon. "Zelda" has remained one of Nintendo's most reliably popular franchises ever since the release of the original 1986 game.
'The Legend of Zelda'live-action movie find its Link and Zelda
Wes Ball, director of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" and the "Maze Runner" trilogy, is directing the live-action "Zelda" movie from a script by Derek Connolly and T. S. Nowlin.
The project marks the latest Nintendo video game franchise to be turned into a feature film after the success of the animated "Super Mario Bros. Movie," which grossed over $1 billion in 2023. A sequel, "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," hits theaters in April.
Cynthia Erivo takes flight again as the magical Elphaba in "Wicked: For Good." Check out our exclusive peeks at the anticipated movie musical sequel and all the other new films you need to see this holiday season." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Jay Kelly" (Nov. 14 in theaters, Dec. 5 on Netflix): A-list movie star Jay (George Clooney, far left) embarks on a reflective trip with his feisty publicist (Laura Dern) and loyal manager (Adam Sandler) in the meta dramedy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Now You See Me: Now You Don't" (Nov. 14 in theaters): Justice Smith (far left), Ariana Greenblatt and Dominic Sessa play a trio of skilled illusionists recruited by Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) for a diamond heist in the magic-filled action threequel." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Running Man" (Nov. 14 in theaters): In Edgar Wright's new take on Stephen King's dystopian thriller, a desperate father (Glen Powell) volunteers for the deadliest game show on TV where he'll win a billion dollars or die in the process." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Rental Family" (Nov. 21 in theaters): An American actor (Brendan Fraser, left) works for a company that hires him out to play roles in people's lives including as a journalist interviewing a Japanese film legend (Akira Emoto)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Sisu: Road to Revenge" (Nov. 21 in theaters): Jorma Tommila reprises his role as a hard-to-kill ex-soldier who returns home and is pursued by the man who murdered his family in the action thriller sequel." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Wicked: For Good" (Nov. 21 in theaters): The closer of Jon M. Chu's two-part movie musical features Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as fugitive witch Elphaba and her torn bestie Glinda, who must work together to save Oz." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Eternity" (Nov. 26 in theaters): In the fantasy romantic comedy, Larry (Miles Teller) arrives in the afterlife and waits for his wife Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) to decide where to spend eternity, but someone else has been pining for her, too." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Hamnet" (Nov. 26 in theaters): Director Chloé Zhao's family drama centers on William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley), who navigate domestic issues and a gut-wrenching tragedy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Plague" (Nov. 26 in theaters): Joel Edgerton (center) stars in the coming-of-age psychological thriller as a coach at a water polo summer camp where the youngsters bully and turn on each other, leading to a violent outburst." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Zootopia 2" (Nov. 26 in theaters): The Disney animated sequel catches up with Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, left) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who are now partners in the police force investigating a mysterious snake." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Five Nights at Freddy's 2" (Dec. 5 in theaters): Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) and Mike (Josh Hutcherson) again have to deal with the murderous animatronic animals of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza in the horror sequel." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Ella McCay" (Dec. 12 in theaters): Ella (Emma Mackey, right), who's named governor of her home state when her mentor steps down, gets advice from her Aunt Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) in the James L. Brooks political dramedy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Avatar: Fire and Ash" (Dec. 19 in theaters): New antagonist Varang (Oona Chaplin) is the fierce leader of the Ash People in James Cameron's sci-fi adventure, which catches up with Jake Sully and his family on Pandora." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Housemaid" (Dec. 19 in theaters): Based on the Freida McFadden novel, the psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney (left) as the new live-in housemaid for a wealthy wife (Amanda Seyfried) – a dream gig that turns into a nightmare." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Is This Thing On?" (Dec. 19 in theaters): The dramedy stars Will Arnett (center, with Bradley Cooper and Andra Day) as a middle-aged dad who finds a new and therapeutic hobby when he signs up for an open mic comedy night. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants" (Dec. 19 in theaters): The animated comedy adventure finds SpongeBob (voiced by Tom Kenny, left) on a quest where he runs afoul of the villainous Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Anaconda" (Dec. 25 in theaters): The horror comedy stars Jack Black (center) and Paul Rudd as best friends who venture to the jungle in a mission to find a gigantic snake for a remake of their favorite movie." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Song Sung Blue" (Dec. 25 in theaters): Based on a true story, the musical drama follows a Vietnam vet (Hugh Jackman) who meets another struggling divorced musician (Kate Hudson) and they form a popular Neil Diamond tribute band." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Testament of Ann Lee" (Dec. 25 in theaters): The historical musical drama stars Amanda Seyfried (center) as Ann Lee, who found followers and critics alike as the leader of the Shakers religious movement in the 18th century." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> From 'Zootopia 2' to 'Running Man,' exclusive peeks at the holiday season's top movies
Cynthia Erivo takes flight again as the magical Elphaba in "Wicked: For Good." Check out our exclusive peeks at the anticipated movie musical sequel and all the other new films you need to see this holiday season.
Other video games that have been successfully turned into blockbuster films in recent years include "Minecraft" and "Five Nights at Freddy's," both of which have sequels on the way.
'The Legend of Zelda' movie release date
"The Legend of Zelda" is set to hit theaters on May 7, 2027.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Legend of Zelda' movie photos unveil Link and Zelda first look
