The wait is over—Nintendo has just dropped the casting bombshell that has fans across the globe buzzing with excitement!
In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the gaming community, Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto himself took to social media to unveil the faces that will bring Hyrule’s most beloved characters to life. Bo Bragason will step into the royal robes of Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is set to wield the Master Sword as the legendary Link.
“This is Miyamoto,” the gaming icon wrote with his characteristic warmth. “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.”
Meet Your New Heroes
The casting choices are as intriguing as they are inspired. Bragason, 21, brings a wealth of fantasy experience from her starring role in Netflix’s swashbuckling adventure series Renegade Nell and her compelling performance in BBC’s crime drama The Jetty. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Ainsworth may be young, but he’s already proven his mettle in the supernatural thriller The Haunting of Bly Manor—perfect preparation for the mystical world of Hyrule.
The first glimpse of our heroes in costume has fans doing double-takes. Bragason’s stunning blue dress echoes the iconic royal attire from Breath of the Wild, while Ainsworth’s dark green tunic immediately channels the timeless look of gaming’s most famous silent protagonist. The attention to detail is already promising something truly special.
A Dream Team Behind the Scenes
This isn’t just any video game adaptation—it’s a powerhouse production that’s been years in the making. Since its official announcement in November 2023, the project has assembled a dream team that reads like a Hollywood wish list. Miyamoto himself is producing alongside Avi Arad, the former Marvel Studios CEO who helped bring Spider-Man and the X-Men to life on the big screen.
Sony Pictures Entertainment is handling distribution and co-financing with Nintendo, while Jurassic World screenwriter Derek Connolly is crafting the screenplay. At the helm sits Wes Ball, fresh off his triumph with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, who’s determined to create something that feels both “grounded” and magical.
The Vision: Real, Serious, and Absolutely Epic
Ball’s approach to Hyrule is refreshingly ambitious. After completing his work on the CG-heavy Planet of the Apes, he’s steering clear of all motion-capture territory. Instead, he’s promising a film that feels “grounded” and “real”—a bold choice that could revolutionize how we think about video game movies.
“I want to fulfill people’s greatest desires,” Ball revealed in interviews about the project. “I know it’s important, this franchise, to people, and I want it to be a serious movie. A real movie that can give people an escape… [It has] to feel like something real. Something serious and cool but fun and whimsical.”
Mark Your Calendars: May 7, 2027
Originally slated for March 2027, Nintendo made the strategic decision to push the release to May 7, 2027—and frankly, we’re here for it. The delay isn’t just about production polish (though Miyamoto promised they’ll “take the extra time to make the film as good as it can be”). The new date cleverly sidesteps a crowded spring lineup that includes Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and gives the film breathing room to dominate the early summer blockbuster season.
Interestingly, the move bumped Marvel’s Avengers: Secret Wars to December 2027, proving that even the MCU recognizes the power of Hyrule.
The Mystery Deepens
With less than two years until we journey to Hyrule, Nintendo is playing their cards close to the chest. No plot details, no setting revelations, no hints about which incarnation of the legendary tale we’ll experience. This casting announcement marks the biggest news since the project’s initial reveal—and it’s only making us hungrier for more.
Will we see the vast landscapes of Breath of the Wild? The time-traveling adventures of Ocarina of Time? The maritime mysteries of Wind Waker? The possibilities are as endless as they are thrilling.
Nintendo’s Cinematic Kingdom Expands
The Legend of Zelda film is just the beginning of Nintendo’s big-screen renaissance. The animated Super Mario Bros. Movie sequel arrives in 2026, with whispers of an animated Donkey Kong spin-off also in development. Nintendo isn’t just making movies—they’re building a cinematic universe that could redefine entertainment itself.
As we count down the days to May 7, 2027, one thing is crystal clear: the adventure of a lifetime is coming, and with Bragason and Ainsworth leading the charge, Hyrule has never looked more promising. The triforce is aligning, the Master Sword is calling, and soon, we’ll all answer the call to adventure.
It’s dangerous to go alone—but with this cast and crew, we’re in the best possible hands.
