Bo Bragason is Zelda, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is Link. Those are the two castings Nintendo has announced itself. Deadline's latest reports add Uli Latukefu as Ganondorf, Dichen Lachman as Impa, Yvonne Strahovski in an undisclosed role, and the late Sam Neill in what is expected to be one of his final screen appearances.
For now, the cleanest way to follow the cast is to keep Nintendo's announcements separate from trade reporting. The four newer names are widely reported, but Nintendo and Sony had not released a complete cast list at the time of writing.
The Legend of Zelda movie cast at a glance
Officially announced by Nintendo
- Bo Bragason — Princess Zelda
- Benjamin Evan Ainsworth — Link
Reported by Deadline
- Uli Latukefu — Ganondorf
- Dichen Lachman — Impa
- Yvonne Strahovski — an unnamed queen; the character has not been identified
- Sam Neill — undisclosed role
After months of set leaks and guessing, the lineup finally resembles a familiar Hyrule story. Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, and Impa are all in the picture. That still does not reveal which game the movie is adapting, though, and the unannounced roles should not be filled in with fan theories.
Bo Bragason plays Zelda
Nintendo officially chose Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda. Bragason has appeared in Renegade Nell, The Jetty, and The Radleys. Nintendo’s first official production photos show her in a blue dress, riding through the New Zealand landscape alongside Link.
The costume naturally reminded fans of Breath of the Wild, but a blue dress is not a plot synopsis. Zelda has worn similar colors and royal designs across the series, so the images show the movie's visual direction without confirming a specific game story.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth plays Link
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is the movie’s Link. He is known for Son of a Critch and for voicing Pinocchio in Disney’s 2022 remake. In Nintendo’s official images, Link wears a green tunic and carries the classic adventurer look associated with earlier Zelda games.
Nintendo announced Ainsworth and Bragason together, making them the only two performers on the list with direct character confirmation from the company so far. There is still no official word on how talkative this version of Link will be or how closely his personality follows any one game.
Uli Latukefu is reported to play Ganondorf
Deadline reports that Uli Latukefu will play Ganondorf. Latukefu portrayed a younger Dwayne Johnson in Young Rock and also appeared in Marco Polo and Black Adam.
Ganondorf is the franchise’s best-known villain, but his reported presence does not lock the movie to Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, or Tears of the Kingdom. Different versions of Ganondorf appear across Zelda’s timelines. The casting tells us who the main threat may be, not which storyline Nintendo chose.
Dichen Lachman is reported to play Impa
Deadline also reports that Dichen Lachman will play Impa. Lachman is known for Severance, Dollhouse, and Jurassic World Dominion. Fans had already suspected her involvement after footage from the New Zealand set appeared online, but the trade report is the strongest casting information to emerge so far.
Impa is one of Zelda’s most dependable allies, although her age, appearance, and role change between games. She has been a royal guardian, a Sheikah elder, and a warrior. Her presence gives the film an obvious connection between Zelda, Hyrule’s royal family, and the wider conflict, but it does not settle which version of Impa the movie will use.
Sam Neill and Yvonne Strahovski are also reported in the cast
Sam Neill reportedly filmed an undisclosed role before his death in July 2026. The Jurassic Park actor was from New Zealand, where the Zelda movie was shot. No reliable report has identified his character, so claims that he is playing a particular king, sage, or other familiar figure remain speculation.
Yvonne Strahovski is reported as an unnamed queen. The Handmaid’s Tale and Chuck actor has not been tied to a named Zelda character. A royal role opens several possibilities, but there is not enough official information to call her Zelda’s mother, Sonia, or anyone else.
What story is the Zelda movie adapting?
Nintendo has not announced a plot or named a game that the movie will adapt. The first images mix recognizable Zelda details: Link’s green tunic feels classic, while Zelda’s blue clothing recalls newer games. That could reflect a new design built from several eras rather than a direct remake of one title.
The safest answer is simple: the story remains unconfirmed. Ganondorf and Impa appear throughout the franchise, so even their reported casting does not narrow the timeline enough. Until Nintendo releases a synopsis or trailer, claims about Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of Time, or another game are theories.
For a wider look at the games and recurring characters behind the film, see The Legend of Zelda franchise page.
Release date, director, and production
The live-action Legend of Zelda movie is scheduled for April 30, 2027, in theaters worldwide. Shigeru Miyamoto announced that Nintendo moved the film forward by one week from May 7.
Wes Ball, director of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the Maze Runner films, is directing. Miyamoto and Avi Arad are producing. Nintendo is financing more than half of the production, while Sony Pictures is co-financing and handling worldwide theatrical distribution.
Filming began in New Zealand in November 2025 and wrapped in April 2026. Nintendo has shared official stills of Link and Zelda, but no trailer or full synopsis has been released.
The film is part of Nintendo’s wider move into movies, but it is being produced as a live-action project rather than an animated follow-up to the Mario films.
Frequently asked questions
Who plays Zelda in The Legend of Zelda movie?
Bo Bragason plays Princess Zelda. Nintendo officially announced her casting.
Who plays Link?
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth plays Link. Nintendo announced him alongside Bragason.
Who plays Ganondorf?
Uli Latukefu is reported to play Ganondorf. The casting comes from Deadline; Nintendo and Sony had not added it to an official cast list at the time of writing.
Who plays Impa?
Dichen Lachman is reported to play Impa. Her casting has not yet appeared in a full official Nintendo or Sony announcement.
Is Sam Neill in the Zelda movie?
Yes, according to trade reporting. Neill filmed an undisclosed role, but his character has not been revealed.
When does The Legend of Zelda movie come out?
The worldwide theatrical release is scheduled for April 30, 2027.
