The live-action adaptation of popular video game franchise “The Legend of Zelda” has announced who will portray Link and the titular princess.
Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will play Zelda and Link respectively, according to an X post by Shigeru Miyamoto on Wednesday.
Both young actors are relatively new faces; recently, Ainsworth starred alongside Bryan Cranston in this year’s “Everything’s Going to Be Great” and Bragason featured in 2024 comedy-horror flick “The Radleys” among other minor roles.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen,” said Miyamoto, who co-created the video game alongside Takashi Tezuka nearly 40 years ago.
Since its debut game released in 1986, “The Legend of Zelda” franchise has amassed over 20 games and spin-offs. The most recent addition is “Echoes of Wisdom,” which dropped last year.
The Film Is Slated For Theatrical Release on May 7, 2027
GettyMiyamoto also announced the film’s premiere date, thanking fans for their patience regarding the nearly two-year-long wait.
Wes Slate, who is best known for directing the “Maze Runner” trilogy and 2024’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” is set to direct “The Legend of Zelda.”
“The Legend of Zelda” will be the second collaboration between Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment. In 2023, they released the animated hit “Super Mario Bros. Movie” based on Miyamoto’s other iconic video game franchise.
In fall 2023, Nintendo announced that a live-action “Legend of Zelda” film was in development with Avi Aradâs Arad Productions.
“I have asked Avi-san to produce this film with me, and we have now officially started the development of the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production,” Miyamoto posted on X at the time. “It will take time until its completion, but I hope you look forward to seeing it.”
The Decision To Cast Lesser-Known Actors Comes After Much Social Media Speculation On Which A-Listers Could Fit The Roles
Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, many internet users posited that “Euphoria” star Hunter Schafer would be a good fit for the role of Princess Zelda.
At the premiere of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” in November 2023, Schafer even commented on the popular fan-cast.
“I mean, yeah! Obviously. That would be so cool,” Schafer told Entertainment Tonight. “I’ve seen another wave of the fan-cast and everything, which is just really sweet. I’m honored that they even think of me for that.”
While there was a mix of opinion regarding Bragason and Ainsworth’s casting, many fans seemed ultimately happy with the actors.
“I actually loveee that I donât know who they are [sic],” one X user wrote. “Itâs the only casting decision superior to Hunter Schafer.”
“Being young and relatively unknown is the best case scenario. Less distracting than watching a miscast mega star,” another user said.
In any case, fans of the long-running series will have to wait another two years to see Zelda and Link in live-action.
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