The Legend of Zelda Movie Casts Uli Latukefu as Ganondorf

After years of limited news, Nintendo’s live-action The Legend of Zelda film has revealed its central villain. Australian actor Uli Latukefu will play Ganondorf, the legendary wielder of the Triforce of Power.

The film was announced in 2023, but updates have largely been limited to the casting of Link and Zelda, along with news of a delay. The latest announcement represents the first substantial development in several years.

Uli Latukefu is Ganondorf

Latukefu, 42, is best known for portraying Dwayne Johnson in NBC’s Young Rock. He also appeared in the Netflix series Marco Polo. The actor has reportedly signed a multi-year film deal with Nintendo, according to Deadline.

What we know about the film

Nintendo and Sony are jointly producing the adaptation, with Wes Ball directing. Ball previously directed Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. The film is scheduled to arrive in April 2027.

Bo Bragason will play Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will portray Link. Ainsworth appeared as Daeron Targaryen in season 3 of House of the Dragon. Although the role contains few lines, his expressive reactions and green-cloaked appearance have given audiences an early indication of his screen presence.

Ball said in 2024 that he wanted the adaptation to feel “grounded” and “real”. Filming took place in New Zealand, where set material and other, unannounced cast members were reportedly revealed through leaks. The production wrapped filming in April 2026.

Nintendo’s wider entertainment strategy

The Zelda film is part of Nintendo’s broader plan to bring its characters to more audiences. The company’s latest financial results pointed to this direction after the Super Mario Galaxy film achieved $1 billion at the box office.

“Going forward, we will take a variety of approaches to continually create contact points with Nintendo characters all over the world, working to convey the appeal of Nintendo’s entertainment offerings to an even wider audience,” the company said.

For fans following Nintendo’s screen adaptations alongside classic gaming, the RETROCADE Arcade Blog offers further arcade and gaming coverage. Those planning a dedicated Nintendo-inspired setup can also browse arcade machines, consider a space-saving bartop arcade, or explore DIY arcade kits.