The Legend of Zelda movie has cast Uli Latukefu in the role of the film's antagonist, Ganondorf, according to a report from Deadline. Latukefu has also reportedly entered into a multi-picture agreement, which would allow for his return in potential sequels should the film achieve success.
Filming for The Legend of Zelda movie concluded earlier this year, with Sony and Nintendo maintaining a tight grip on details surrounding the production. The only other officially confirmed cast members are for the characters of Link and Zelda, who are portrayed by relatively unknown actors. A limited number of images have been released, but they offer few insights into the movie's content. With the film scheduled for release in less than a year, much about its specifics remains unknown.
It is currently unclear whether Latukefu will physically portray Ganondorf or if his contribution will be limited to voice acting. The latter scenario could explain the extended secrecy surrounding the casting. Further details are anticipated later this year, with Nintendo expected to release the first trailer before the holiday season.
This project marks Nintendo's second foray into modern big-screen adaptations of its intellectual properties. The studio's animated film adaptations of Mario achieved significant box office success in 2023 and continued with a sequel earlier this year. While these films have not been universally acclaimed by critics, they have proven to be financially successful and have generally captured the spirit of the games, diverging from the less well-received 1990s Mario movie. The Legend of Zelda movie represents the first attempt to bring the iconic franchise to the big screen, and it remains to be seen if Nintendo can replicate the success of its Mario adaptations.
The Legend of Zelda movie is slated to premiere in theaters on April 30, 2027.