The wait for Nintendo’s live-action Legend of Zelda movie just got more exciting. Set videos from the Wellington, New Zealand production have leaked online, giving fans their first proper look at Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda, and a mystery third character that internet sleuths believe is Impa played by Severance star Dichen Lachman.
Production officially began on November 4, 2025, and will continue through April 2026 for the film scheduled to hit theaters on May 7, 2027. The leaked footage was captured by locals filming from a distance as the cast shot scenes in a New Zealand forest, perfectly capturing the fantasy adventure aesthetic fans have come to love from the games.
What the Leaked Videos Show
The footage reveals Link wearing his iconic green tunic, looking remarkably faithful to the game character design. What’s particularly notable is that Benjamin Evan Ainsworth’s hairstyle has been changed from what was shown in the initial casting announcement images. His hair now matches Link’s signature look from the games much more closely, addressing concerns some fans had when the casting was first revealed.
Princess Zelda appears in a blue outfit rather than her traditional pink or purple royal dress. This design choice seems inspired by Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, where Zelda wore blue adventuring clothes. The costume suggests the movie might combine elements from multiple Zelda games rather than adapting one specific title, similar to how The Super Mario Bros. Movie pulled references from across the franchise.
Zelda Has Her Pointed Ears
One detail that has fans celebrating is the confirmation that Princess Zelda has her pointed ears in the live-action adaptation. Many worried this signature fantasy element might be removed for a more grounded realistic approach. The leaked videos clearly show Bo Bragason sporting the character’s distinctive Hylian ears, demonstrating Nintendo’s commitment to staying faithful to the source material.
The attention to this seemingly small detail matters tremendously to longtime fans. Pointed ears distinguish Hylians from regular humans in Zelda lore, and removing them would have fundamentally changed the character. The fact that the filmmakers preserved this feature while Link wears his green tunic suggests they understand what makes these characters iconic.
The Mystery Third Character
The most intriguing revelation from the leaked footage involves an unidentified woman appearing alongside Link and Zelda. The character wasn’t part of any previous casting announcements, making her presence a genuine surprise. Based on her appearance and positioning in the scenes, fans immediately began speculating she represents Impa, Zelda’s loyal bodyguard and advisor who appears throughout the franchise.
Internet detectives claim the actress is Dichen Lachman, best known for her role in the Apple TV Plus series Severance. Lachman would be an excellent choice for Impa given her experience with action-oriented roles and her ability to portray fierce, protective characters. If confirmed, this would make her the third major cast member announced for the production.
Impa’s Role in Zelda Lore
Impa is one of the most frequently recurring characters across Zelda games, appearing in various forms from a young warrior to an elderly sage. She typically serves as Princess Zelda’s protector and mentor while also guiding Link on his quest. Her inclusion in the movie makes narrative sense, as she provides a connection between Link and Zelda while adding an experienced warrior to balance Link’s inexperience.
The character’s appearance varies dramatically depending on which game she’s in. In Ocarina of Time, she appears as both a young warrior and an old woman. In Skyward Sword, she’s Zelda’s attendant and friend. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom depict her as an elderly village elder. The movie version appears to show a middle-aged warrior, splitting the difference between her various incarnations.
Production Details and Timeline
Sony Pictures and Nintendo began principal photography in Wellington, New Zealand on November 4, 2025. The location choice makes perfect sense given New Zealand’s stunning natural landscapes and its reputation as a fantasy film destination. The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit films, and The Chronicles of Narnia all filmed there, establishing the country as synonymous with epic fantasy adventures.
Filming is scheduled to wrap in April 2026, giving the production team six months of shooting time. This extended schedule suggests an ambitious scope with extensive location work, elaborate action sequences, and complex visual effects. Following completion of filming, post-production will continue for approximately one year before the May 7, 2027 theatrical release.
Director Wes Ball at the Helm
Wes Ball is directing the Legend of Zelda movie, bringing experience from both the Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Ball has proven he can handle large-scale action spectacle while maintaining emotional character moments, exactly what a Zelda adaptation needs. His Planet of the Apes film demonstrated particular skill with visual storytelling and creating immersive fantasy worlds.
Ball’s involvement represents a careful choice by Nintendo. The company learned from The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s success that protecting their intellectual property while trusting creative filmmakers yields better results than heavy-handed oversight. Ball reportedly worked closely with Nintendo during development to ensure the film respects Zelda’s legacy while bringing fresh cinematic perspective.
What We Know About the Plot
According to production summaries from the Film & Television Industry Alliance, the movie follows a young Link who must defend the Kingdom of Hyrule from Ganon. The evil antagonist seeks the Triforce, a powerful relic that grants wishes to whoever possesses all three pieces. Link will face monsters, explore dungeons, and solve puzzles throughout his adventure.
This description fits virtually every Zelda game ever made, leaving the specific inspiration unclear. The movie could adapt the original 1986 Legend of Zelda game, pull from multiple entries, or present an entirely original story within the established universe. The blue costume on Zelda and green tunic on Link suggest a blend of classic elements with modern Breath of the Wild influences.
Potential for a Franchise
Similar to how Nintendo and Sony announced multiple Mario movies following the first film’s success, rumors suggest they’ve committed to a series of Zelda films. The franchise offers decades of material spanning numerous games with different iterations of Link, Zelda, and Ganon across various timelines. A successful first film could spawn sequels exploring different eras of Hyrule’s history.
Mike Odyssey, who tracks Nintendo film production, predicts the first trailer could arrive around the franchise’s 40th anniversary in February 2026. Nintendo announced the Super Mario Galaxy Movie during Mario’s 40th anniversary, suggesting the company likes celebrating franchise milestones with major reveals. A February 2026 trailer would come roughly 15 months before the May 2027 release.
Fan Reactions to the Leaks
Response to the leaked set videos has been overwhelmingly positive across social media and Reddit. Fans praised the costume designs, particularly Link’s green tunic and Zelda’s adventuring outfit. The confirmation of pointed ears generated significant relief among purists worried about unnecessary changes to iconic character designs.
Some skeptics questioned whether the videos are legitimate or elaborate fan-made recreations. However, multiple sources confirmed the footage matches known production details including filming locations and schedule. The professional quality of costumes and the presence of what appears to be a full production crew strongly suggest authenticity.
Nintendo’s Response
As of publication, neither Nintendo nor Sony Pictures has officially commented on the leaked footage. The companies will likely request the videos be removed from social media platforms to maintain control over marketing and preserve surprises for the official trailer. Nintendo is notoriously protective of its intellectual properties and typically moves quickly to shut down unauthorized leaks.
However, the damage is done in terms of fans now having concrete visuals of what the movie looks like. While Nintendo may be frustrated by the leak, the overwhelmingly positive reaction serves as free marketing and builds anticipation. Sometimes leaks work in a studio’s favor by generating organic buzz that traditional marketing can’t manufacture.
Comparing to The Super Mario Bros Movie
The Legend of Zelda movie represents Nintendo’s second major film partnership with a Hollywood studio after The Super Mario Bros. Movie became a massive global hit in 2023. That film earned over 1.3 billion dollars worldwide, proving Nintendo properties could translate to successful theatrical experiences when handled respectfully.
However, Zelda presents different challenges than Mario. The Zelda franchise features more serious storytelling, complex mythology, and darker themes compared to Mario’s lighthearted platforming adventures. Link traditionally doesn’t speak in the games, creating questions about whether the movie version will talk or remain silent. The tone needs to balance epic fantasy adventure with Nintendo’s family-friendly brand.
Live-Action vs Animation
The decision to make Zelda live-action rather than animated like the Mario movie reflects the franchise’s more mature aesthetic. While Mario thrives in colorful cartoon environments, Zelda’s medieval fantasy setting translates more naturally to live-action with practical locations and real actors. The Lord of the Rings comparison becomes inevitable, though Nintendo will ensure the film remains accessible to younger audiences.
Live-action also brings technical challenges that animation sidesteps. Creating believable fantasy creatures, magical effects, and elaborate action sequences requires sophisticated visual effects work. The six-month shooting schedule and year of post-production suggest Nintendo understands the complexity and is providing adequate resources to achieve their vision.
FAQs
When will the Legend of Zelda movie be released?
The Legend of Zelda live-action movie is scheduled to hit theaters on May 7, 2027. Filming began in November 2025 and will continue through April 2026, with post-production extending through early 2027.
Who plays Link and Zelda in the movie?
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth plays Link and Bo Bragason plays Princess Zelda. Ainsworth is known for his voice work in Disney’s Pinocchio, while Bragason is an Icelandic actress making her Hollywood debut in this role.
Who is the mystery third character in the leaked videos?
The leaked footage shows an unidentified woman that fans believe is Impa, Zelda’s bodyguard and advisor from the games. Internet sleuths claim the actress is Dichen Lachman from Severance, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed by Nintendo or Sony.
Where is the Legend of Zelda movie being filmed?
The movie is filming in Wellington, New Zealand, the same location used for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. New Zealand’s dramatic natural landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for Hyrule’s fantasy world.
Who is directing the Legend of Zelda movie?
Wes Ball is directing the film. He previously directed the Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, demonstrating experience with large-scale action and visual effects-heavy fantasy worlds.
Will Link talk in the movie?
This hasn’t been officially confirmed. Link traditionally remains silent in the games, though he occasionally speaks in dialogue text boxes. Whether the movie preserves his silence or gives him spoken dialogue remains one of the biggest unanswered questions about the adaptation.
What Zelda game is the movie based on?
The specific game inspiration hasn’t been revealed. Production summaries describe Link defending Hyrule from Ganon who seeks the Triforce, which fits most Zelda games. Costume designs suggest a blend of classic elements with modern Breath of the Wild influences.
When will the first trailer be released?
Nintendo hasn’t announced a trailer release date. Industry observers predict a first teaser could arrive around The Legend of Zelda’s 40th anniversary in February 2026, approximately 15 months before the May 2027 theatrical release.
Conclusion
The leaked set videos from Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda movie provide the first concrete evidence that this highly anticipated adaptation is capturing the spirit of the beloved game franchise. Link’s green tunic, Zelda’s pointed ears, and the apparent inclusion of Impa demonstrate Nintendo’s commitment to respecting the source material while bringing a fresh cinematic perspective. While the company will likely be frustrated by unauthorized leaks, the overwhelmingly positive fan reaction proves they’re on the right track. With Wes Ball directing, a six-month shooting schedule in New Zealand’s stunning locations, and Sony Pictures handling distribution, the production has all the ingredients for success. The Super Mario Bros. Movie proved Nintendo properties can dominate the box office when handled properly, and early glimpses suggest Zelda is receiving the same careful treatment. As filming continues through April 2026, more leaks are inevitable despite Nintendo’s best efforts to maintain secrecy. For fans who have waited decades to see Link’s adventure on the big screen, these leaked videos represent the most exciting proof yet that May 7, 2027 can’t come soon enough.