Nintendo has officially unveiled the lead cast for its long-awaited live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. Taking on the iconic roles of Princess Zelda and Link will be two rising British stars: Bo Bragason, 21, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, 16.
The announcement was made via Nintendo’s official X account, with series creator Shigeru Miyamoto expressing his excitement:
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.”
🎥 A First for the Franchise
This marks the first cinematic adaptation of the beloved video game franchise, which began in 1986 and has since sold over 150 million copies worldwide. While a short-lived animated TV series aired in 1989, this is Zelda’s first leap into a full-length feature film.
The movie is set to premiere on 7 May 2027, taking the original release slot of Avengers: Secret Wars, which has been pushed to December.
🧝♂️ Who’s Who in Hyrule
Bo Bragason (Zelda): Known for her roles in Renegade Nell (Disney+), Three Girls, and horror films like Censor and The Radleys.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Link): Starred in Pinocchio (2022) alongside Tom Hanks, and appeared in The Haunting of Bly Manor and All Fun and Games.
While Link is famously silent in the games, it’s likely that the film will give him a voice. Princess Zelda is also expected to take on a much more prominent role in the story.
🎬 A Serious but Whimsical Vision
The film is being directed by Wes Ball (The Maze Runner, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), who has described his vision as:
“A serious movie… Something real. Something serious and cool, but fun and whimsical.”
The screenplay is being written by TS Nowlin, Ball’s frequent collaborator, replacing Jurassic World’s Derek Connolly, who worked on earlier drafts.
🧙 Behind the Scenes
Producers: Shigeru Miyamoto (Nintendo) and Avi Arad, the former Marvel Studios CEO.
Studios: Co-financed by Nintendo and Sony Pictures.
With the recent success of video game adaptations like The Super Mario Bros Movie, The Last of Us, and Sonic the Hedgehog, expectations are sky-high for this new chapter in Zelda history.
