Rising British stars Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth take on iconic Nintendo roles for the 2027 release
Nintendo has finally pulled back the curtain on its long-anticipated Legend of Zelda live-action movie, and fans now know who will don the green tunic and the royal robes. In a surprise social media announcement Wednesday, Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that British actors Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will portray Princess Zelda and Link, respectively.
The movie, a collaboration between Nintendo and Sony Pictures, is currently slated for release on May 7, 2027. With fan expectations sky-high, the casting of two young, accomplished British actors has stirred both curiosity and cautious excitement across social media.
From Pinocchio to Hyrule
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, 16, is no stranger to major roles. He previously voiced the titular puppet in Robert Zemeckis’ 2022 Pinocchio, starred as Miles in Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor, and appeared in Canadian sitcom Son of a Critch. Known for his emotional depth and sharp instincts on screen, Ainsworth will take on the silent-yet-brave warrior Link — a character beloved for his loyalty, courage, and near-mythic heroism.
Meanwhile, Bo Bragason, 17, brings with her a resume that spans period dramas and action-adventure. She stars in the upcoming King and Conqueror alongside James Norton and Game of Thrones alum Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Bragason has also made waves in BBC One’s Three Girls, the thriller The Jetty, and Disney+’s Renegade Nell, where she played Roxy Trotter. Her range and presence have been widely praised, and fans are eager to see her interpretation of the intelligent and resilient Princess Zelda.
Miyamoto: “I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them”
The news broke in a tweet from Nintendo’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, where Miyamoto personally introduced the young stars to the Zelda fandom.
“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,” Miyamoto said. “I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.”
Fans immediately began dissecting the post, praising the youthful and fresh direction while others debated whether Ainsworth, known for smaller, quieter roles, can carry the weight of a legendary hero like Link.
A High-Stakes Adaptation
This live-action Zelda movie marks a major gamble — and opportunity — for Nintendo. The beloved video game series, which began in 1986, has sold over 140 million copies worldwide and holds a near-mythic place in gaming history. But adaptations of video games to film have a notoriously rocky track record.
Nintendo has had success lately, though: 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie became a box office juggernaut, grossing over $1.3 billion globally. Now, Zelda fans are hoping for a similar blockbuster result — but with more narrative ambition.
While few plot details have been released, rumors suggest the film will draw heavily from Breath of the Wild and Ocarina of Time, combining sweeping landscapes with coming-of-age tension and darker mythological undertones.
What We Know So Far
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Title: The Legend of Zelda (working title)
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Release Date: May 7, 2027
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Studios: Nintendo and Sony Pictures
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Zelda: Bo Bragason
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Link: Benjamin Evan Ainsworth
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Director and Writer: TBA
The film remains shrouded in mystery — with no director publicly attached and no official trailer or stills released. Still, the casting news has breathed new life into a fandom long accustomed to radio silence.
Fandom Reacts: “This better not be another Eragon”
Reaction across social media has ranged from delight to anxious skepticism. On Reddit, a user wrote, “I loved Ainsworth in Bly Manor, but Link is huge shoes. I hope they don’t give him too many lines — Link’s mystery is part of what makes him iconic.” Another user commented, “Bo Bragason was brilliant in Renegade Nell. She has the gravitas for Zelda. But this better not be another Eragon.”
TikTok edits of Ainsworth with a Master Sword are already trending, while fancasts for Ganondorf, Impa, and Navi are swirling fast. Speculation continues about whether the film will take place in Hyrule proper or venture into less familiar lore.
The Path Ahead
The film industry has been inching toward a Zelda adaptation for decades. Attempts in the early 2000s fizzled out, and fans often cited the series’ complex mythology, open-world structure, and mostly silent protagonist as key barriers. But with advancements in visual effects, an expanding young adult audience, and gaming franchises now dominating box offices, the timing finally seems right.
Nintendo has made it clear this film is being handled with care. Unlike past hands-off licensing deals, this project is being tightly overseen by Miyamoto and his team — much like The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
