The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda has officially announced its lead cast, sending waves of excitement and discussion throughout the gaming and film communities. After much speculation, Nintendo revealed that Bo Bragason will play Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will portray Link. The announcement, made via a post on X by Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, has solidified the key players for the upcoming movie, slated for release on May 7, 2027.
Bo Bragason, a 21-year-old English actress, is known for her roles in the Disney+ fantasy series Renegade Nell and the BBC crime drama The Jetty. She also had a small role in Final Fantasy XV. Her casting as Princess Zelda has been met with varied reactions, as some fans had hoped for other actresses, such as Hunter Schafer, who had previously expressed interest in the role. Nevertheless, many are eager to see Bragason's interpretation of the iconic princess. In an image released by Nintendo, Bragason is seen wearing a blue dress reminiscent of Zelda's Breath of the Wild attire.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, a 16-year-old English actor, will take on the role of Link, the silent protagonist of the Zelda series. Ainsworth has appeared in the Netflix horror series The Haunting of Bly Manor and voiced Pinocchio in Disney's 2022 live-action remake. His relatively young age suggests that the film might portray a younger version of Link. Ainsworth is pictured wearing what appears to be a dark green tunic, Link's signature outfit.
The Legend of Zelda movie is being co-produced by Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, with Wes Ball, known for directing Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Maze Runner trilogy, at the helm. Derek Connolly, who wrote Jurassic World, is penning the screenplay. Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, former CEO of Marvel Studios, are producing the film.
The film's release date was initially set for March 2027 but was later moved to May 7, 2027, to allow the production team more time to refine the movie. According to Miyamoto, the delay will ensure the film is "as good as it can be".
With the casting announcements and the anticipation building, The Legend of Zelda movie aims to capture the magic and adventure of the beloved video game series. Following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo hopes to solidify its position in the film industry with another successful adaptation of one of its iconic franchises.
