The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie is slowly assembling its cast, and the choices are making it hard not to think of a certain classic. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason are set to play Link and Zelda, while Uli Latukefu will take on the role of Ganondorf. Yvonne Strahovski and Sam Neill have also signed on for undisclosed parts. The film is confirmed to tell an original story, so a direct retelling of Ocarina of Time is off the table. But that doesn't mean Nintendo won't draw heavily from the games that shaped Hyrule. In fact, the casting feels like a strong nod to that beloved N64 title.
If Ocarina of Time is a major influence, that's a solid foundation. Nearly three decades later, it still embodies what most people picture when they think of Zelda: Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, the Triforce, the Master Sword, Hyrule Castle, and a kingdom full of diverse races and regions. Its core conflict is also ripe for cinematic adaptation. Link starts as a child in Kokiri Forest, gets pulled into Zelda's suspicions about Ganondorf, and then makes a catastrophic mistake that allows the villain to seize power. Link draws the Master Sword, sleeps for seven years, and wakes to a Hyrule under Ganondorf's rule. That's a perfect second-act twist for a movie.
Nintendo doesn't need to follow that plot beat-for-beat. Nobody wants to watch Link complete every dungeon on screen—that would feel like a let's-play stretched to IMAX. Instead, Ocarina of Time offers a blueprint for introducing Hyrule, establishing Link and Zelda as young heroes, and making Ganondorf a looming threat before they're ready. The mystery castings add to the intrigue. Strahovski could easily play an Impa-like guardian, while Neill might fit as a king or mentor figure. Those are just guesses, but the point is that an original narrative allows Nintendo to mix and match familiar elements.
However, when it comes to Ganondorf, there's another game that offers something Ocarina of Time can't: The Wind Waker. That game gave Ganondorf a perspective. In Ocarina, he's a Gerudo king who wants the Triforce and conquers Hyrule—pure villainy. But in Wind Waker, we see a more complex side. By the time Link meets him, Hyrule is underwater, and Ganondorf reflects on the harsh winds of his desert home versus the gentle winds of Hyrule. He admits he coveted that wind. It's a moment that doesn't excuse his tyranny but explains it. His desire for Hyrule stems from resentment and envy, not just a thirst for power.
That's exactly what Latukefu's Ganondorf needs. His physical presence already makes him an imposing figure, especially opposite Ainsworth's young Link. But a movie needs more than a menacing look. It needs a character who can hold scenes. Let Ganondorf interact with Zelda and Hyrule's rulers. Show us the Gerudo and their desert kingdom, contrasting it with the lush Hyrule he covets. Give Latukefu the chance to convey what Ganondorf sees when he looks at Hyrule and why it matters to him.
Nintendo doesn't have to copy Wind Waker wholesale. An original story can take that resentment and show it before it consumes him. Eventually, we should get Ganon—the monster. Watching Latukefu transform into that beast could be an incredible payoff. But Ganon is the monster; Ganondorf is the character. Nintendo is already crafting a new Zelda tale, and by borrowing from Wind Waker, they can make Ganondorf more than just a villain—they can make him a tragic figure. That's the kind of depth that elevates a fantasy film from good to unforgettable.
For more on the Zelda movie's casting, check out Sam Neill's final role. And if you're curious about other iconic video game moments, our list of unforgettable video game endings might interest you.
