Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Cast as Zelda and Link in Live-Action ‘The Legend of Zelda’ Film
The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s beloved video game franchise, The Legend of Zelda, has officially found its leading stars. English actress Bo Bragason is set to portray the iconic Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will take on the role of the courageous hero, Link. The casting announcement was made by Nintendo’s representative director, Shigeru Miyamoto, on Nintendo’s official X page, accompanied by what appear to be initial costume photos of the actors. The film is slated for a theatrical release on May 7, 2027, a date adjusted from its original March 2027 schedule for production reasons, as previously noted by Miyamoto. (Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter)
Bo Bragason, born in Chichester, West Sussex in 2004, brings a diverse background to the role of Princess Zelda. Her early life included seven years in Luxembourg and three in the south of France before her family settled in Mere, Cheshire, in 2014. Bragason honed her acting skills at Knutsford Academy, the Knutsford Little Theatre, the National Youth Theatre, and David Johnson Drama in Manchester. Her career began with a minor role as a toddler in the 2007 French-language film Hidden Love (L’Amour Caché). She made her television debut a decade later in the 2017 BBC One miniseries Three Girls as Rachel Winshaw. Subsequent television appearances include episodes of Moving On and Creeped Out. (Wikipedia, Screen Rant)
In film, Bragason performed motion capture for Young Luna in Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016) and appeared in Prano Bailey-Bond’s 2021 horror film Censor. Her stage work includes sharing the role of Vera in the 2021 adaptation of Force Majeure at Donmar Warehouse. The year 2024 has been particularly significant for Bragason, with main roles as Roxy Trotter in the Disney+ fantasy adventure series Renegade Nell and Amy Knightly in the BBC One crime drama The Jetty. She also starred as Clara in Euros Lyn’s vampire film The Radleys. While Renegade Nell garnered a passionate audience, The Legend of Zelda marks Bragason’s first leading role and undoubtedly her most high-profile project to date, poised to significantly elevate her career. She also has an upcoming role in the BBC One medieval drama King and Conqueror. (Wikipedia, Screen Rant)
Joining Bragason is Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, a 16-year-old English actor with a notable resume. Ainsworth is recognized for his voice work as the titular character in Robert Zemeckis’ live-action Pinocchio. His live-action credits include playing Miles in the Netflix series The Haunting of Bly Manor, William in Flora & Ulysses, and roles in the Canadian comedy series Son of a Critch and an episode of Netflix’s The Sandman. (Deadline, Variety)
The live-action Legend of Zelda film is being directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on The Maze Runner franchise and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad are producing the film, with Sony distributing and co-financing the project alongside Nintendo. T.S. Nowlin penned the most recent draft of the script. The original Legend of Zelda game franchise, created by Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, first debuted in 1986 and has since sold over 150 million units worldwide, becoming one of Nintendo’s most iconic properties. The film’s development follows the recent blockbuster success of other video game adaptations, such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, HBO’s The Last of Us, and the upcoming A Minecraft Movie, setting high expectations for this highly anticipated fantasy adventure. (Deadline, Variety)
Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting to see how Bragason and Ainsworth will bring the beloved characters of Princess Zelda and Link to life on the big screen, marking a significant milestone for the enduring legacy of The Legend of Zelda.
