Nintendo has officially named its stars for the upcoming “Legend of Zelda” live-action remake. But the casting reveal comes as box office numbers beg the question: Are audiences tired of the live-action treatment?
In a post on X, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto said, “I am pleased to announce that for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, Zelda will be played by Bo Bragason-san, and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san.”
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The film will be based on the original 1986 video game and follow Zelda and Link as they try to save Hyrule from the villain Ganon. It marks Nintendo’s first live-action adaptation of the legendary franchise.
Wes Ball, known for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” is directing. The movie is slated for release on May 7, 2027
‘Snow White’ struggles at the box office
Disney’s “Snow White” remake, which debuted in March, underperformed despite its brand recognition.
According to Box Office Mojo, “Snow White” made just over $42 million domestically in its opening. That’s below projections of $45–$55 million, and the New York Post reports it’s the worst-performing wide-release Disney remake in nearly a decade.
While some pointed to box office competition, others blamed controversy surrounding its star, Rachel Zegler, who faced criticism for not fitting the classic “skin as white as snow” description. Her outspoken political views about the Middle East and interviews also stirred backlash.
Jonah Platt — the son of “Snow White’s” original producer — publicly criticized Zegler, saying in a now-deleted Instagram comment that she “hijacked the conversation for her own immature desires,” at the expense of “blue collar workers who depend on that movie to be successful.”
Despite the controversy, Zegler stood by her convictions. In a June interview with i-D, she said that losing fame is a small price to pay when speaking up for her beliefs.
‘Lilo & Stitch’ to become a billion-dollar hit
In contrast, “Lilo & Stitch” is poised to become 2025’s first $1 billion blockbuster, according to Forbes. The remake also shattered Memorial Day records, earning more than $183 million domestically and $341 million globally.
However, success hasn’t shielded it from criticism.
Some fans objected to the casting of Sydney Agudong as Nani, arguing that her lighter skin tone strayed from the original animated character. Others expressed disappointment over changes to fan-favorite Pleakley, whose penchant for wigs and women’s clothing in the animated version was absent in the live-action adaptation.
Director Dean Fleischer Camp addressed the change on TikTok. “I have had people message me, ‘Why is Pleakley not wearing a dress?’” he said. “And I just want to say, I tried… I tried.”
These creative decisions echo controversy around “The Little Mermaid,” which saw pushback after Black actress Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel.
Are viewers burned out on live-action?
While hits like “Lilo & Stitch” suggest there’s still demand, some studios are rethinking their approach. In April, Variety reported that Disney had paused development on its live-action “Tangled” due to fallout from “Snow White.”
Meanwhile, fan forums and Reddit threads express growing skepticism. One post titled “I don’t understand the appeal for the Disney ‘live action’ remakes of their classics” drew hundreds of comments, many criticizing the quality and motivation behind the reboots.
A top comment read, “They’re relatively low effort… the characters and stories already exist and external companies are doing most of the creative work at fixed costs.”
Other people cite nostalgia as a reason for all the reboots.
More live-action remakes on the way
Despite the mixed reception, more live-action reboots are still in the works.
Amazon MGM Studios and Hasbro are developing the first-ever live-action “My Little Pony” movie, per Variety. While details remain under wraps, Variety reports the strategy focuses on turning familiar Hasbro brands into new series and films.
Other upcoming projects include a reimagining of “Clue” with Sony’s TriStar and Sony Pictures Television and Netflix adaptations of “Forgotten Realms” and “Magic: The Gathering.”
