Start of filming and first images from The Legend of Zelda
So this is what the two main characters look like!
Filming for "The Legend of Zelda" has begun – and to coincide with this, the first scene images have been released via Nintendo's own app Nintendo Today!
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, known from "The Haunting of Bly Manor", can be seen in the iconic role of the hero Link. At his side is Bo Bragason, who takes on the role of Princess Zelda. "Zelda" creator Shigeru Miyamoto has already praised both actors and emphasized that they will breathe new life into the characters and authentically embody the iconic heroes.
Filming is currently underway in New Zealand. After all, what was good enough for "The Lord of the Rings" can't be wrong for Zelda. The makers emphasize that despite the obligatory use of CGI, huge sets and practical effects will also play a major role.
Little is known about the plot so far. What is fairly certain, however, is that the story will be based heavily on the familiar motifs of the games: Link must protect the kingdom of Hyrule from a dark threat and stop the tyrannical Ganon, who wants to usurp the power of the legendary Triforce.
The screenplay was written by the experienced author duo Derek Connolly and T.S. Nowlin, who were previously responsible for "Jurassic World" and "Pokemon: Detective Pikachu". The live-action film adaptation will be directed by Wes Ball, who previously directed the "Maze Runner" series and "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes". "The Legend of Zelda" will be released on May 7, 2027.
The music by Koji Kondo
The fantastic soundtrack by Koji Kondo, who was also responsible for the music of the Super Mario games, is of course inextricably linked to the Zelda games. No composer for the Zelda soundtrack is currently known. However, we strongly assume that Kondo will be involved as a consultant, as he was for the "Super Mario Bros. movie". And we're willing to bet that we'll hear one or two legendary melodies in modern form.
New interpretations of Hyrule
One big question has been on our minds since the announcement: What will the story be based on? Will there be a very specific game template - for example, the favorite of many fans: "Ocarina of Time"? So far, nothing concrete is known about the story of the film adaptation. However, we believe that we are dealing with a fresh narrative. And for a very special reason.
A special feature of the "Zelda" series is that it has been working with the same characters, locations and symbols for decades – and yet reinterprets them again and again. Link, Zelda and Ganondorf return in almost every part, but they are never exactly the same. Sometimes Ganondorf is an overpowering warlord as in "Ocarina of Time", sometimes a demonic apparition as in "Twilight Princess". Even familiar locations change: Hyrule Castle stands in the center of the world as a ruined ruin in "Breath of the Wild", while in "The Wind Waker" it is literally hidden under the floods.
It is precisely this diversity that makes "Zelda" so unique – and it fits perfectly with the medium of film. Because here, too, it's not about retelling a game world one-to-one, but creating a new interpretation of the same myths. This means that the upcoming film can take up familiar elements such as the Master Sword, the Kokiri Forest or Zelda's royal heritage – but tell them in a completely unique, cinematic version. This is exactly what makes the series so magical: Recognizing the familiar and yet being surprised.
In the end, we don't think it will be about whether a costume or an actor looks exactly like the one in a particular game. What connects the games is a certain feeling, a special atmosphere. The promise of adventure, with silly situations as well as touching moments and epic battles. As long as the movie can deliver that, it will live up to the legacy of the original.
