Nintendo and Sony have officially announced the casting for the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, set to release in 2027. The announcement, made by Shigeru Miyamoto on Nintendo’s social media platforms, revealed that Bo Bragason will portray Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will take on the role of Link.
Bragason, a British actress, is known for her performances in BBC One’s Three Girls and Disney+’s Renegade Nell. She also starred in The Radleys (2024), a vampire comedy film. Ainsworth, who is also English, has appeared in The Haunting of Bly Manor and voiced Pinocchio in Robert Zemeckis’ 2022 live-action adaptation of Pinocchio. His other credits include the Netflix series The Sandman and Son of a Critch.
This is Miyamoto. 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. I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/KA5XW3lwul
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) July 16, 2025
The movie, directed by Wes Ball, best known for The Maze Runner and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, is being produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad. The film’s release was recently delayed from March to May 7, 2027, for production reasons. With the success of Super Mario Bros. Movie generating high expectations, The Legend of Zelda is seen as another key project for Nintendo and Sony in their push for more video game adaptations.
While the casting announcement has generated excitement, it also reignited conversations about Hunter Schafer’s fans' campaign for her to play Princess Zelda. Schafer, known for her role in Euphoria and the upcoming The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, was widely considered a fan-favorite choice for Zelda. Fans on social media rallied behind her, with viral campaigns advocating for Schafer’s ethereal presence to match Zelda’s iconic image.
hunter schafer get in that audition room now!!!!! https://t.co/XqKFND1QZR pic.twitter.com/za0nYwuAKe
— tATE mcrae (@supraboyj) March 28, 2025
However, despite the buzz surrounding her potential casting, Schafer did not land the role. In an interview with Variety, she expressed her enthusiasm for the possibility, saying she would love to take on the role. Yet, the casting decision ultimately went in a different direction, leaving fans disappointed, though hopeful for future projects.
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