‘The Legend of Zelda’ Live-Action Movie Shoots Hyrule in Legendary ‘Lord of the Rings’ Spots

Nintendo is taking another big step into live-action movies with The Legend of Zelda, directed by Wes Ball. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on May 7, 2027. While the release is still over a year away, production details are starting to emerge as the project nears its expected wrap this April.

Reports show that the movie is being filmed in New Zealand, specifically in the Otago region and the small town of Glenorchy. These locations will be used to represent the kingdom of Hyrule. Fans of The Lord of the Rings will recognize these spots, as director Peter Jackson used the same areas for his iconic Middle-earth landscapes. This choice signals that Nintendo is aiming for a cinematic, high-quality fantasy look rather than just a typical video game movie adaptation.

Otago is known for its rivers, mountains, and scenic wilderness, which will give the film an authentic fantasy feel. The location suggests that Link and Princess Zelda will spend much of their journey in natural landscapes instead of urban areas or dungeons.

The decision to shoot on location is important because real environments give a sense of weight and realism that CGI alone often cannot. Even top-level CGI can feel artificial if actors are interacting with green screens instead of tangible surroundings. Director Wes Ball has said in past interviews that he wants The Legend of Zelda to feel “real” and “grounded”, in contrast to the heavy CGI approach used in his previous film, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

New Zealand has a long history as a fantasy film destination, largely because of The Lord of the Rings. Jackson’s films highlighted the natural beauty of the country and inspired other productions to follow suit. By filming in these iconic areas, the Zelda movie is tapping into that same sense of epic, immersive fantasy.

Filming in real locations is a smart move. It will help the movie feel alive and give actors something tangible to interact with, which can improve performances. Fans of both Zelda and fantasy cinema should be excited to see familiar landscapes bring Hyrule to life.

What do you think about this approach to the Zelda movie? Are you excited to see Hyrule filmed in real locations, or do you prefer more CGI-driven fantasy? Share your thoughts in the comments.