Nintendo and Sony Pictures have found the actor who will bring the villainous Ganondorf to life in director Wes Ball's live-action The Legend of Zelda movie.
The New York Times' Kyle Buchanan was first to reveal (via SFFGazette.com) that Australian actor Uli Latukefu has been cast as the iconic Gerudo king and longtime nemesis of Link and Princess Zelda.
Latukefu is perhaps best known for portraying a young Dwayne Johnson in NBC's Young Rock. He's also appeared in Black Adam, Marco Polo, and The Portable Door. Standing at an imposing 6'4", the actor certainly has the physical presence required to play one of gaming's most legendary villains. However, we don't know whether Ganondorf will be brought to life with VFX, makeup effects, or a mixture of both.
The character has been the primary antagonist of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda franchise for decades, with the ruthless warlord repeatedly seeking the power of the Triforce to conquer Hyrule. While the character has appeared in several different forms throughout the games, fans have long been eager to see him make the leap to live-action.
Nintendo has yet to officially confirm Latukefu's involvement, so it's best to treat this news as unconfirmed for now. Even so, it's a casting choice that makes plenty of sense. Rather than opting for a major Hollywood star, the filmmakers appear to have continued their strategy of surrounding the fantasy adventure with talented performers who can fully embody these beloved characters.
Deadline also brings word that The Legend of Zelda will star Jurassic Park icon Sam Neill in his final movie role. The actor passed away last month. It's not clear who he'll play in the movie.
Severance star Dichen Lachman has also joined the movie, though that won't come as a surprise to those of you who will remember her being spotted in set photos. She's playing Impa, the bodyguard and advisor to Princess Zelda.
Finally, The Handmaid's Tale star Yvonne Strahovski is also joining the project, though her role is currently described only as a "queen." Hopefully, Nintendo and Sony Pictures will share an official cast list soon.
Outside of a handful of stills, very little has been revealed about The Legend of Zelda. A possible synopsis surfaced last year, which you can read below:
A live-action adaptation of the video game franchise. '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
Latukefu joins a cast led by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda. As noted, The Legend of Zelda is directed by Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes filmmaker Wes Ball and is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 7, 2027.