Nintendo's live-action Legend of Zelda movie is filming in same location as the Lord of the Rings trilogy

After it was reported that the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda movie was filming in New Zealand, it's been confirmed that the pic is filming in the same locations as Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

According to CBR, the production is currently underway in Otago, which includes the small town of Glenorchy. This means the lush landscape and dreamy cinematic wilderness from the Legend of Zelda video games will indeed be real and practical... rather than CGI.

Official photos of stars Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason, who play Link and Zelda, respectively, were released last year after a set leak showed Bragason in what appears to be Zelda's blue outfit from Breath of the Wild. The official (albeit vague) synopsis for the film reads as follows: "The Legend of Zelda follows Link, a young warrior destined to protect the magical kingdom of Hyrule from the forces of darkness. The land is under threat from Ganon, a ruthless warlord who seeks the Triforce – an ancient relic said to grant limitless power. To stop him, Link must embark on a perilous journey, battling monstrous creatures, exploring treacherous dungeons, and solving intricate puzzles to uncover sacred artifacts that can aid him in his quest."

Wes Ball, perhaps best known for helming The Maze Runner trilogy, directs from a script penned by Derek Connolly (Detective Pikachu) and T.S. Nowlin (The Maze Runner). The film was originally slated for a March 26, 2027 release date, before creator Shigeru Miyamoto took to Twitter to announce that it would be pushed to May 2027 instead...and less than two months truly isn't that bad.

The Legend of Zelda movie is set to open on May 7, 2027. For more, check out our guides on upcoming video game movies and the best Zelda games.