With a catalogue full of legendary and wildly successful IPs, it took Nintendo a surprisingly long time to fully embrace the cinematic potential of its franchises. The gamble paid off handsomely with the animated Super Mario Bros. Movie. But instead of sticking with animation, Nintendo is taking a bold new direction with The Legend of Zelda, opting to adapt the beloved fantasy series into a live-action film.
Since the initial announcement, a single question has lingered in fans’ minds: who will portray the iconic characters of Link and Princess Zelda? Fan-casting choices ranged from newcomers to Hollywood stars, with Tom Holland being one of the more frequently mentioned names for Link.
That speculation has now been laid to rest. In an announcement shared directly by Shigeru Miyamoto via Nintendo’s official Twitter account, the live-action Legend of Zelda film has officially cast its two leads.
Who is Playing Link and Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda Movie?
“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,” reads the post. “I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.”
Actress Bo Bragason will portray Princess Zelda. Still early in her acting career, Bragason has appeared in titles such as the Disney+ series Renegade Nell and the 2024 film The Radleys. Interestingly, she’s no stranger to video game-related projects as she played young Luna in Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV.
Meanwhile, Link will be played by 16-year-old actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth. Ainsworth has earned praise for his performances in projects like The Haunting of Bly Manor and The Sandman, showcasing a maturity beyond his years.
While details about the plot remain tightly under wraps, including whether Link will maintain his traditionally silent persona in the film, Miyamoto expressed his excitement and eagerness to see the duo bring Hyrule to life on the big screen.
Nintendo has set the release date of the live-action The Legend of Zelda film for May 7, 2027.
