Nintendo and Sony have officially unveiled the lead cast of their highly anticipated live-action Legend of Zelda film. In a surprise announcement on Nintendo’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, iconic game designer Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that Bo Bragason will play Princess Zelda, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will star as the beloved hero Link.
The film is scheduled to hit theaters worldwide on May 7, 2027, with Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball at the helm.
Who Are the New Zelda and Link?
Bo Bragason, a rising talent, will bring Princess Zelda to life. While not yet a household name, Bragason has received praise for her performances in the indie horror film Censor, The Radleys, and series like Renegade Nell. She’s set to appear in Prime Video’s upcoming teen drama Sterling Point.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who plays Link, is best known for roles in Pinocchio, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and the indie drama Everything’s Going to Be Great. His quiet intensity and emotional range are expected to lend themselves well to the largely silent yet expressive character of Link.
Miyamoto wrote:
“This is Miyamoto. 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. I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.”
Legends of Zelda Movie Details on the Production
Sony and Nintendo first confirmed plans for a live-action Zelda film in late 2023. The film is being co-produced by Miyamoto and Avi Arad, with T.S. Nowlin (of The Maze Runner fame) writing the latest draft of the script. Director Wes Ball, best known for his work on The Maze Runner trilogy and the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is expected to bring an epic, world-building vision to the adaptation.
Casting speculation had reached fever pitch in recent months, with names like Hunter Schafer frequently trending among fans. Inside sources revealed that Mason Thames and Brady Hepner were among the final contenders for the role of Link before Ainsworth secured the part.
A New Era for Zelda Fans
First released in 1986, The Legend of Zelda is one of the most iconic video game franchises in history, with over 150 million copies sold globally. The story typically follows Link, a brave warrior from the land of Hyrule, who teams up with Princess Zelda to battle the dark lord Ganon.
With the massive success of recent game-to-screen adaptations like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, The Last of Us, and the upcoming Minecraft movie, the pressure is high for Nintendo and Sony to deliver a faithful and cinematic experience.
If early casting choices and production commitments are anything to go by, The Legend of Zelda live-action movie could be one of the most ambitious and visually rich video game films yet.