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After years of anticipation, fans of the beloved Legend of Zelda video game series are thrilled about the upcoming live-action movie adaptation, a collaboration between Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment. The internet is abuzz with casting rumors since the official announcement in early November. Machine Gun Kelly is actively vying for the role of Link, while Hunter Schafer from Euphoria has expressed interest in portraying Princess Zelda.
As fans eagerly await the official cast list, speculation is rife, especially regarding the crucial role of the antagonist, Ganondorf. The formidable TriForce-seeking humanoid, also known as Ganon in his beast form, is one of the most iconic villains in video game history. Choosing the right actor for this role is paramount. Here, we present 10 actors whom we believe could do justice to the character of Ganondorf in The Legend of Zelda movie.
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10 Actors We’d Love to See Play Ganondorf in the Live-Action Legend of Zelda Movie
Idris Elba
Idris Elba has been a prominent figure in Hollywood since the early 2000s, gaining recognition for his standout performances in TV series like The Wire and Luther. Beyond his Golden Globe-winning roles, he stands out as one of the highest-grossing actors of recent times, with his films collectively earning over $13 billion at the box office. In addition to his acting career, Elba also pursues a DJ career in his free time.
Elba’s versatility shines through, particularly in portraying antagonistic characters. His portrayal of drug kingpin Russell “Stringer” Bell in The Wire showcased his ability to play complex villains. Whether in westerns like The Harder They Fall, musicals like Cats, or big-budget action films like Hobbs & Shaw, Elba has consistently taken on diverse roles, making him an ideal candidate for the role of Ganondorf. His experience in sci-fi and fantasy franchises, including Thor and Prometheus, demonstrates his capability to approach unconventional genre films with a serious and compelling demeanor.
Ron Perlman
Idris Elba has been a prominent figure in Hollywood since the early 2000s, earning recognition for his outstanding performances in TV series such as The Wire and Luther. Apart from winning a Golden Globe, he is also recognized as one of the highest-grossing actors, with his films collectively grossing over $13 billion. In addition to his acting, Elba pursues a DJ career in his leisure time.
Elba’s versatility is evident, especially in his portrayal of antagonistic characters. His role as drug kingpin Russell “Stringer” Bell in The Wire highlighted his ability to bring depth to complex villains. Whether in westerns like The Harder They Fall, musicals like Cats, or blockbuster action films like Hobbs & Shaw, Elba consistently embraces diverse roles, making him an ideal choice for the character of Ganondorf. His experience in sci-fi and fantasy franchises, such as Thor and Prometheus, showcases his capability to approach unconventional genre films with a serious and compelling demeanor.
However, Perlman’s voice stands out as a significant asset, especially when considering the possibility of him portraying Ganondorf. His deep and villainous tone is well-suited for such roles, a quality he has demonstrated in various instances throughout the years. While it would differ from Matthew Mercer’s portrayal of Ganondorf in the 2023 Legend of Zelda game “Tears of the Kingdom,” Perlman’s distinct gravelly voice could offer a unique and captivating take on the character. Fans might be open to witnessing Perlman make the role uniquely his own.
Jason Momoa
While Jason Momoa initially gained recognition in the late ’90s with a lifeguard role in Baywatch: Hawaii, his breakthrough came in 2011 as the formidable Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones. It wasn’t until he took on the role of Aquaman a few years later that he truly skyrocketed to megastardom. From Dune to Fast X, Momoa has showcased his versatility and emerged as a major box-office attraction.
Why He’s a Suitable Choice: The striking physical resemblance between Ganondorf and Jason Momoa is evident, both being exceptionally muscular. Drawing on his experience in Game of Thrones and Conan the Barbarian, Momoa could effectively convey the animalistic quality required for the transformation into Ganon. Moreover, his recent portrayal of a villain in Fast X demonstrates his capability to play such roles convincingly.
Mark Strong
Mark Strong, a seasoned actor with a diverse portfolio of over 100 roles, is often associated with British spy thrillers due to his distinct look and demeanor. Despite frequently portraying villains, he embraces the typecasting. Strong’s versatility is evident in his ability to seamlessly transition from modern superhero movies to 18th-century period pieces. In the context of playing Ganondorf, known for both brute force and cunning manipulation in the kingdom of Hyrule, Strong’s skill in portraying silver-tongued antagonists makes him a compelling choice. His age of 60 doesn’t hinder his ability to deliver convincing action scenes when needed.
Djimon Hounsou
Djimon Hounsou rose to prominence in Hollywood during the late ’90s and early 2000s, transitioning from music video appearances alongside artists like Paula Abdul and Madonna. His breakthrough came with notable roles in films like Amistad and Gladiator. Garnering two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in the mid-2000s (In America and Blood Diamond), Hounsou later found success in franchise films, contributing to both the Marvel Extended Universe (as Korath in Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel) and the DC Extended Universe (as the Wizard in Black Adam and Shazam! movies).
In recent years, Hounsou has become a prominent figure in sci-fi and fantasy genres, including an upcoming role in the Netflix epic Rebel Moon, where he is expected to showcase his skills in major action scenes. With a commanding on-screen presence, the ability to portray villains convincingly, and a dedicated approach to his roles, Hounsou is ideally suited to portray Ganondorf.
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Ralph Fiennes
After a successful career in theater, Ralph Fiennes gained widespread recognition in 1993 with his role as the menacing Nazi Amon Göth in Schindler’s List, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He continued his acclaim with another Oscar nod for Best Actor in 1996’s The English Patient. Fiennes showcased his villainous prowess as Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, establishing himself as a memorable antagonist. His ability to evoke fear through intense performances, despite lacking a dominating physical presence, would make him a compelling choice for the role of Ganondorf. Recently, he portrayed Chef Slowik in The Menu and featured in Netflix shorts based on Roald Dahl’s writings.
Winston Duke
Winston Duke’s Hollywood breakthrough occurred just five years ago when he made his debut as M’Baku in Black Panther. He continued to portray the character in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Additionally, Duke gained acclaim for his lead role in Jordan Peele’s Us.
He stands at an imposing 6’5″, making him a fitting choice for Ganondorf based on physical attributes. While he may not have as much experience as some other actors, his portrayal of the menacing character Abraham in Us demonstrates his ability to play formidable villains. Given his recognition from the MCU, Duke would bring believability to the role of a commanding leader with a large army.
Dave Bautista
After spending almost a decade as a WWE professional wrestler, Dave Bautista transitioned to Hollywood and gained recognition as Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). Following this breakthrough, he became a sought-after actor, featuring in films like Blade Runner 2049, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and the Dune series.
Why He’s a Great Fit: Similar to Jason Momoa and Winston Duke, Dave Bautista possesses an imposing physical presence. Despite being in his mid-50s, his background in wrestling and commitment to performing his own stunts in recent movies make him an ideal choice for the action sequences in a Legend of Zelda film. Moreover, his ability to convincingly portray formidable warriors, whether human (Scott Ward in Army of the Dead) or non-human (Drax in GOTG and Glossu Rabban in Dune), would lend credibility to both the humanoid Ganondorf and the boar-like Ganon characters.
Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem showcased his remarkable acting skills early in his career with roles in Spanish and indie American films during the ’90s and early 2000s. He gained recognition with an Academy Award nomination in 2001 for his portrayal of Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas in Before Night Falls. However, his major mainstream breakthrough came in 2007 when he won the Best Actor Oscar for his role as the primary antagonist in the thriller No Country for Old Men. Over the past 15 years, Bardem has earned two more Oscar nominations for Biutiful and Being the Ricardos. Additionally, he has proven his versatility as a franchise actor with roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Skyfall, and Dune.
Bardem’s compelling performance as the psychopathic Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men is a key reason for considering him for the role of Ganondorf. His portrayal of Chigurh, characterized by violence, cunning, a chilling speaking voice, and a lack of real human emotion, aligns with the qualities associated with Ganondorf.
Josh Brolin
Josh Brolin’s acting journey began in 1985 when he portrayed Mikey’s older brother Brand in Steven Spielberg’s adventure film, The Goonies. Although his career didn’t gain significant momentum until his role as Llewelyn Moss in No Country for Old Men in 2007, Brolin has showcased remarkable versatility as an actor. He has taken on diverse roles in quirky comedies like Flirting with Disaster and Melinda and Melinda, acclaimed biopics such as Milk and W., and has even been part of major franchises like Avengers and Dune.
Why He’d Be a Good Choice: He’s the man who brought Thanos to life—reason enough to consider him an excellent choice.
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