New casting rumours have begun doing the rounds for Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda live-action film adaptation, suggesting the possible ages of its lead protagonists.
Nintendo’s own Shigeru Miyamoto first confirmed a live-action The Legend of Zelda movie back in November 2023, with a rather casual post on social media. Following this news, many hoped that Euphoria actress Hunter Schafer may land the role of Princess Zelda. In fact, Schafer herself said it would be “pretty cool” to get the part.
However, the adaptation’s latest casting rumours suggest Nintendo is looking for actors between the ages of 16 and 23, at least for both Link and Zelda, which would potentially age Schafer out of consideration (Schafer was born in December 1998, making her 26).
Word of this casting process comes from internet tipster DanielRPK (via ZeldaUniverse), who is perhaps best known for scoops on Marvel TV shows and movies. According to DanielRPK’s Patreon account, casting for the roles of Link, Princess Zelda, Ganondorf, Impa, and/or the King of Hyrule could be taking place as we speak.
It’s claimed the casting period could be wrapped by the end of August. Meanwhile, the current rumour is that filming for the Zelda adaptation will start sometime this November, with production aiming to then be complete by the following spring.
While we don’t yet know which game the film will be adapting, given the ages of the actors they are looking for it is safe to rule out the likes of the very first game, when Link was around 12 years old. Likewise, according to the amiibo description for Toon Link (as he is often referred to), Wind Waker’s Link would have received his green tunic on his 12th birthday.
Therefore, if the film’s Link and Zelda are being cast to look more like very young adults, we could perhaps be looking at an adaptation more along the lines of Breath of the Wild, in which flashbacks take place around and on Zelda’s seventeenth birthday. An adaptation of Ocarina of Time, however, may prove more complicated to adapt, given its time-travelling mechanic.
As for what we do know, Miyamoto will produce the Zelda film, which is being co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Sony will also handle worldwide theatrical distribution).
The Legend of Zelda film adaptation is currently slated for release on 7th May, 2027. It will allegedly be the start of a trilogy, planned for release over six years.