Nintendo Reveals Live-Action Link And Zelda

We now know what the main characters are going to look like in the live-action Legend of Zelda movie. Nintendo posted this notice to social media early this morning, accompanied by the above photos of the revealed actors: “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. The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 7, 2027. Thank you for your patience.” Don’t rack your brains — Bragason and Ainsworth are nobody you know, unless you paid attention to the entire cast list for Disney+’s British series Renegade Nell (a good show, by the way, even if I was the only one watching). Bragason was on that series and Ainsworth’s most significant part to date has been on Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor. You may not know them now, but depending on how the movie is received, this could potentially be the big break for both of them. Perhaps the most peculiar thing about the Legend of Zelda movie, […]
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I can't believe we finally have faces for Link and Zelda! I looked up Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth after reading this, and while they're not super famous yet, they really do look the part. I always imagined a younger cast would work best since the games usually feature teen or young adult versions of the characters. I know some people wanted big-name stars, but I think giving newer actors a shot could make the movie feel fresh. Also, it's kind of cool that Wes Ball is directing. I saw his work on Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and thought he handled action and emotional moments really well. That gives me hope for this adaptation. The only thing that feels strange is that Sony is producing it—aren’t they Nintendo’s rival? But maybe that’s why this might work. Different teams collaborating can sometimes lead to surprising results. I’m really rooting for this to be good.

I'm really glad they went with unknown actors for Link and Zelda. It shows they’re focusing on getting the right people for the roles instead of just picking someone famous to sell tickets. When you cast big celebrities, sometimes the audience sees the actor more than the character. But with fresh faces, there’s a better chance we’ll actually see Link and Zelda—not just someone pretending to be them. Benjamin and Bo both look like they fit the world of Zelda too, which is important when adapting something so iconic. I think giving new talent a shot is the right move. It could launch their careers and give the film a more sincere feeling.

From a creative point of view, casting fresh faces makes a lot of sense. The Legend of Zelda doesn’t need to rely on Hollywood stardom—it needs characters that feel real within that world. Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth are relatively unknown, but that allows audiences to meet Link and Zelda, not the actors. Wes Ball is a solid director who knows how to balance spectacle with heart. I believe that’s exactly what this film needs. The Nintendo-Sony collaboration is odd, yes, but it might bring new energy to both companies. It’s ambitious and risky. But I’ve always thought the Zelda universe deserved more than animation. If done well, this could become a classic.

I’m honestly relieved the Hunter Schafer rumors turned out to be false. I have nothing personal against her or her work, but I just don’t think Zelda should be played by a trans actress. To me, Zelda has always been a biological woman, and it’s part of her identity in the games. Changing that would feel like changing a core part of the character just to make a statement.

I have known for a long time that making a live-action Zelda film would be difficult. I feel some relief that Nintendo is very careful with this project. They showed the actors early and gave a clear release date. I like that they speak with respect by adding “-san” after the names. This small detail shows they keep some Japanese culture. I also think it is interesting that Sony Pictures is involved. They have the power to create strong visuals. I believe two young actors can grow into their roles. I watched Benjamin Evan in Bly Manor and I saw he can show real feeling. I saw Bo Bragason in Renegade Nell and I saw she has passion. If the director Wes Ball works well with them, the result can be fresh. I will keep my mind open and hope to feel the magic of Zelda on screen.

When the rumors first came out saying Zelda might be played by a trans actress, I was honestly concerned—not because I have anything against trans actors, but because I believe some characters, especially ones as iconic as Zelda, should stay close to their original design. I'm glad to see that those early rumors were not true. Bo Bragason looks like a great fit for Zelda, and from what I’ve seen of her work, she seems capable of capturing the grace and strength that the character needs. This casting gives me more confidence that the movie will try to honor the source material, instead of changing things just to make a statement. I think there’s space for all kinds of representation in media, but I also think it’s important not to force changes that might feel out of place for long-time fans. This news makes me more hopeful about the direction of the film.

I've been playing Zelda since the NES days, and hearing this news makes me nervous and excited. Link and Zelda have meant so much to me. I don’t know these actors, but maybe that’s good. I want them to focus on the story and emotions, not on big names. But I really hope they respect the lore. Don’t make it another teenage drama. Keep the tone epic and mystical like Ocarina of Time. If they mess this up, it will hurt.

I think it’s great they picked new faces. Sometimes, fresh talent is better than famous stars. I will give them a chance. The Zelda world is beautiful, and I hope the movie shows that well.

From a media perspective, this is an interesting move. Nintendo is clearly avoiding the star power route, perhaps to avoid over-shadowing the brand. With Mario’s success, they’ve earned some trust, but Zelda is not Mario. The tone must be different. I’m curious how they’ll handle Link’s silence and whether they’ll make him speak. That decision alone could divide fans. The 2027 release gives them time, so I hope they use it wisely. The director’s long-time passion could make this something special.