Flashspoter - Nintendo and Sony have finally released the premiere photos of the live-action film The Legend of Zelda, marking a significant development of the long-planned adaptation project. Through the Nintendo today app, fans were treated to a first look at Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link. These photos not only introduce the two main characters, but also give a clear idea of the visual direction and degree of rigor of the production.
Bragason and Ainsworth appear dressed in costumes designed very close to the game's version, complete with custom-made Hylian ears. One of the photos shows both of them on a stretch of grassland with strong natural light, an aesthetic choice that shows that the film wants to appear grounded without leaving the typical fantasy elements of Hyrule. Link is pictured with his sword and shield, while Zelda is carrying a bow that essentially became the character's signature weapon.
It is reported by Variety that the filming of the film is now officially going on. The director of the film is Wes Ball, the one who did Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and the Maze Runner trilogy. With Ball, you usually get a very visual style which he achieves by seamlessly blending the latest CGI with the practical stuff, so he is definitely the right guy to get to work on the complex world of Hyrule, mystical creatures, and adventurous landscapes.
The fact that Miyamoto is once again a producer was a noteworthy point in the project. Miyamoto was in a similar role in the Super Mario Bros. film which made more than a billion dollars at the box office. Under Miyamoto's creative supervision, the Zelda film is the most likely to be a long-time video game series version which started in 1986. Also, seasoned producer Avi Arad, who has the turning of comics and games into films experience, is repped as the production team member.
The current draft of the screenplay is the work of T.S. Nowlin, who wrote The Maze Runner and other projects. Nowlin replaced Derek Connolly in developing the script and is rumored to bring a more focused approach to the characters ' relationships, without removing the elements of adventure and moral conflict that characterize the main Zelda stories.
Bo Bragason, who plays Princess Zelda, is best known for her roles in Three Girls, The Jetty, and the Disney+ series Renegade Nell. He has also been part of the vampire comedy The Radleys. His record highlights the capability of him emotionally to bring to life a character in which an emotional depth can be felt, a characteristic that is required to depict Zelda, as she is usually seen as one of the characters that carry the most huge themes especially as the heir to the magical line of the Kingdom of Hyrule.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth who plays the character of Link, has done various widely known works. He has been the voice of Pinocchio in the live-action films of Robert Zemeckis, has been the character of Miles in The Haunting of Bly Manor, as well as played roles in Son of a Critch and The Sandman. Ainsworth comes with the background of a young actor who is experienced in the handling of intense and full physically natured roles and this aspect is very much necessary, considering that the character of Link is mostly associated with action and the heroic journey.
In accordance with the Legend of Zelda tradition, The film will center on Link and Zelda's journey to fight Ganon, a former warlord who subsequently became the Demon Lord. The franchise has accomplished a total of over 150 million copies sold since the first release and is thus, the biggest source of Nintendo's franchises having raised high the expectations for a live-action version of the story. The fans want the film to be able to keep alive big themes like courage, fate, and also the relationship between the hero and the royal princess.
As for the release, the film had a timing shift. The film was initially scheduled for March 26, 2027, but it has been confirmed that it will be back to May 7, 2027. According to Shigeru Miyamoto, the timing changes were made primarily to production quality considerations, in particular, for the visual effects department and the intricate details of the world of Hyrule. Sony will be the distributor of the film worldwide.
Interestingly, the release of this first photo comes amid Nintendo's preparations to release the Super Mario Galaxy film in April next year. With two major projects taking place almost simultaneously, this move shows that Nintendo is strengthening its role in the film industry, not only as a game license owner but also as an active creative partner.
These early photos give an idea that the production of The Legend of Zelda leads to a serious, detailed and appreciative interpretation of the original source. For both old fans and new viewers, the film immediately entered the list of the most anticipated fantasy projects by 2027.
source Variety, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter
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