The Confirmed And Rumored Zelda Movie Cast: Who Is Playing Link, Zelda, And Impa? (Updated December 2025)
The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of *The Legend of Zelda* is officially in production, and as of late December 2025, the casting news has finally provided fans with the first definitive look at who will bring the iconic heroes of Hyrule to life. After years of speculation, Nintendo has confirmed the young, talented British actors who will take on the mantle of Link and Princess Zelda, signaling a bold new direction for the fantasy epic. This article breaks down every confirmed cast member, the strongest rumors, and the powerhouse creative team behind the May 2027 cinematic event.
The decision to cast relatively fresh faces in the lead roles—moving away from major Hollywood celebrities—has been met with enthusiasm, allowing the chosen actors a genuine opportunity to make the beloved characters their own. With principal photography underway in New Zealand since November 2025, the full scope of the cast is slowly emerging through official announcements and credible set leaks, including a major character reveal for the fan-favorite Sheikah warrior, Impa.
Confirmed Cast and Key Creative Team Biography Profiles
The foundation of the *Legend of Zelda* film is built upon a mix of established industry veterans behind the camera and rising stars in front of it. These are the confirmed actors and the essential creative entities driving the adaptation.
The Confirmed Lead Actors (Link and Zelda)
- Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link (The Hero of Hyrule)
- Born: August 25, 2008 (Age 17 as of late 2025)
- Nationality: British
- Notable Works: Ainsworth is best known for his breakout role as Miles Wingrave in the Netflix horror series The Haunting of Bly Manor. He also starred as the voice of Pinocchio in Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-winning animated film, and appeared in The Sandman. His casting as Link suggests the film will feature a younger, more boyish hero, aligning with iterations like Ocarina of Time's Child Link or The Wind Waker.
- Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda (The Royal of Hyrule)
- Born: March 27, 2004 (Age 21 as of late 2025)
- Nationality: English
- Notable Works: Bragason is an English actress with a background in television, known for her roles in the BBC drama Three Girls and the series King. Her casting was officially announced by Nintendo in July 2025 alongside Ainsworth. She brings a combination of dramatic experience and a fresh perspective to the complex role of the wise and powerful princess.
The Essential Creative Entities
- Wes Ball (Director)
- Role: Director
- Notable Works: Ball is famous for directing the entire Maze Runner trilogy (2014–2018) and the recent blockbuster Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. His vision for Zelda is reportedly a "serious" and "grounded" adaptation of the fantasy world.
- Shigeru Miyamoto (Producer)
- Role: Producer
- Notable Works: The legendary creator of The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, and Donkey Kong. Miyamoto’s direct involvement ensures the film remains true to the spirit and lore of the video game series, providing creative oversight from the source.
- Avi Arad (Producer)
- Role: Producer
- Notable Works: A veteran producer known for his work on numerous comic book and video game adaptations, including Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Uncharted, and Morbius. His experience in blockbuster filmmaking is key to the project's scale.
- Derek Connolly (Writer)
- Role: Screenwriter
- Notable Works: Connolly is known for co-writing major film franchises such as Jurassic World, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The Strongest Rumors and Leaks: Impa and Ganon Casting
While only Link and Zelda have been officially confirmed by Nintendo, the onset of filming has led to several highly credible leaks and rumors regarding other major characters. The most significant of these involves the Sheikah protector, Impa, and the much-anticipated antagonist, Ganondorf.
Dichen Lachman as Impa (The Sheikah Warrior)
One of the most exciting pieces of unconfirmed news to emerge from the New Zealand set involves actress Dichen Lachman. Set leaks in November 2025 strongly suggest that Lachman has been cast in the role of Impa, the formidable Sheikah warrior who often serves as Zelda's bodyguard and a mentor to Link.
Lachman is known for her roles in popular series such as Severance, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Altered Carbon. Her connection to director Wes Ball, having recently worked with him on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, adds significant weight to the rumor. If confirmed, Lachman's casting would bring a seasoned, action-ready performer to the role of the wise and mysterious Impa, a character who has appeared in many forms across the Zelda timeline, from a young nursemaid to a powerful sage.
The Unconfirmed Role of Ganondorf (The King of Thieves)
The actor who will portray the iconic villain Ganondorf, the King of the Gerudo and the embodiment of the Triforce of Power, remains the biggest secret in the production. The casting of Ganon is critical, as the character requires an actor with immense screen presence and a deep, commanding voice to match his imposing stature and dark ambition.
As of now, the role is unconfirmed, leading to intense fan-casting speculation that continues to dominate online discussions:
- Idris Elba: Often cited for his commanding voice and physical presence, Elba is a top fan choice for a Ganondorf that is both intimidating and charismatic.
- Laurence Fishburne: With his gravitas and experience in epic fantasy and sci-fi (The Matrix, John Wick), Fishburne is seen as a perfect fit for a wise yet terrifying iteration of the villain.
- Christopher Judge: Known for voicing Kratos in the God of War games, Judge possesses the deep vocal tone and imposing figure many fans associate with the Gerudo King.
- Javier Bardem: A critically acclaimed actor who could bring a nuanced, complex villainy to the role, similar to his Oscar-winning performance in No Country for Old Men.
The choice of a lesser-known actor for Link and Zelda suggests the production may follow a similar path for Ganondorf, opting for a talented performer who can fully embody the character without the baggage of a major celebrity persona. However, the sheer importance of the villain may necessitate a more recognizable star.
Production Status and Release Date Entities
The live-action *Legend of Zelda* film is more than just a concept; it is a fully realized production with a set timeline and location. This wealth of detail provides topical authority and context for the casting news.
Key Production Details
- Official Title: The Legend of Zelda (working title)
- Release Date: May 7, 2027
- Studio Partners: Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Sony is handling the theatrical distribution)
- Principal Photography Location: Wellington, New Zealand
- Filming Timeline: Started in November 2025 and is expected to wrap in April 2026.
- Cinematographer: Newton Thomas Sigel (known for Bohemian Rhapsody and Drive)
- Production Designer: Daniel Dorrance (known for The Maze Runner and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes)
The choice of New Zealand, the home of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, is a significant entity in itself. It signals a commitment to utilizing stunning, real-world landscapes to create the immersive fantasy setting of Hyrule, moving away from an entirely CGI-based environment. This location choice aligns perfectly with director Wes Ball's desire to create a "serious" and "epic" fantasy film, a promise that has reassured many skeptical fans of the franchise.
With the confirmed casting of Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason, the strong likelihood of Dichen Lachman joining the cast as Impa, and the high-profile creative team, the *Legend of Zelda* movie is on track to be one of the biggest cinematic events of 2027. All eyes now remain on the production for the official announcement of the actor who will wield the Triforce of Power as Ganondorf.
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