The Legend of Zelda Movie Starts Filming in New Zealand — But Which Game Is It Adapting?
New Zealand is becoming Hyrule, its cinematic landscapes—from mist-wreathed fjords to volcanic plateaus—stepping in as the real-world stand-in for the storied kingdom.
Well, it finally happened: The Legend of Zelda movie is actually shooting. And thanks to a new industry listing, we just got our first real hint at what kind of Zelda story they are telling.
Cameras rolling in New Zealand
A production listing on the Film and Television Industry Alliance site (flagged by IGN) shows the live-action Zelda has started filming in New Zealand. Yes, the same New Zealand that doubled as Middle-earth for Peter Jackson. Swap hobbit hills and volcanic doomscapes for Hyrule, and you get the vibe.
So what story are we getting?
The listing includes a synopsis that, while not confirmed as Nintendo-approved, lays out a very classic setup: Link is a young warrior tasked with protecting Hyrule from Ganon, a ruthless warlord hunting the Triforce — a legendary relic said to grant unlimited power. To stop him, Link heads out on a dangerous quest: monsters, treacherous dungeons, head-scratching puzzles, and collecting sacred items that actually matter to the plot.
If that sticks, it leans much more Ocarina of Time than the freer, open-world flavor of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Also worth noting: because this came from an industry listing, it could still be placeholder text. But it is far more specific than the vague loglines we usually see at this stage.
Who is making it (and who is playing who)?
Wes Ball is in the director's chair. The cast, which has been tightly under wraps until now, includes Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda. That pairing alone suggests they are going young with the leads.
When is it out?
The movie was initially dated for March 26, 2027, but it has already slid to May 7, 2027. Zelda creator and producer Shigeru Miyamoto framed the delay as a quality move:
'as good as it can be'
Given the scale of what they are aiming for (and that New Zealand backdrop), that checks out. If nothing else, the pieces are finally moving, and the tone of that synopsis points to a full-on classic quest through Hyrule — dungeons, puzzles, and a big bad Ganon included.