Nintendo has officially revealed the stars of its upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda film, sending fans into a frenzy. British actors Bo Bragason (21) and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (16) will take on the iconic roles of Princess Zelda and Link, respectively.
The announcement came directly from Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s legendary game designer and the film’s producer, in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Alongside first-look images of the actors in costume, Miyamoto wrote:
“I’m thrilled to announce that Bo Bragason will play Princess Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will portray Link in our live-action adaptation. Both actors bring incredible talent to these beloved roles, and I can’t wait for audiences to see them on the big screen.”
The film, set to hit theaters on May 7, 2027, is being directed by Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, The Maze Runner trilogy). The story will follow Link, the elf-like hero, and Princess Zelda, descendant of the goddess Hylia, as they battle to save the kingdom of Hyrule from the dark forces of Ganon.
Fan Reactions: Excitement and Debate
The casting news ignited social media, with most fans praising the choices.
- “We won! These two look perfect—I’ve never been more hyped for a movie,” tweeted one fan.
- “She already looks like royalty. Perfect Zelda,” another wrote about Bragason.
- Even Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys joined in, calling it “our generation’s Lord of the Rings.”
However, some were disappointed that fan-favorite Hunter Schafer (Euphoria) wasn’t cast as Zelda. One user clapped back: “Acting isn’t just about looking the part—it’s about skill. These two earned their roles.”
Who Are the New Stars?
While not yet household names, both actors have impressive resumes:
- Bo Bragason has appeared in BBC’s Three Girls and The Jetty, plus Disney+’s Renegade Nell.
- Benjamin Evan Ainsworth starred in Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor and recently worked with Bryan Cranston in Everything’s Going to Be Great.
Produced by Miyamoto and Avi Arad (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), with a script by T.S. Nowlin (Maze Runner), the film is a collaboration between Nintendo and Sony Pictures.
Are you excited for this adaptation? Let the countdown to 2027 begin!