Ever since Nintendo confirmed its live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, fans haven’t stopped speculating about who would bring Hyrule’s heroes to life. Naturally, the biggest debate has always been about who should play Link and Zelda, the iconic duo at the heart of one of gaming’s most beloved franchises.
Over the past few months, players have thrown out plenty of names for the Hero of Time, from Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Machine Gun Kelly to even Tom Holland. When it came to the Princess of Hyrule, fans were quick to suggest actresses like Elle Fanning, Saoirse Ronan, AnnaSophia Robb, Anya Taylor-Joy and Hunter Schafer. For a while, it seemed like every fan had their own dream cast.
After all the wish lists and rumors, Nintendo has finally made its choice. This morning, Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed that the Zelda movie has found its stars. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will play Link, while Bo Bragason will take on the role of Princess Zelda.
Nintendo clearly decided to bet on young talent for this adventure. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, born in 2008, is a British actor who has already made a name for himself with impressive performances at a young age. Many viewers know him as Miles Wingrave from The Haunting of Bly Manor, but he also starred in Flora & Ulysses and The Sandman. Disney fans might recognize his voice too, since he played Pinocchio in Robert Zemeckis’s live-action version. With roles like these under his belt, he’s seen as one of the most promising young actors around, which made him an easy choice to wield the Master Sword.
Bo Bragason is another rising star from the UK. Born in 2004, she began acting with L’Amour Caché back in 2007 and later appeared in the series Three Girls as Rachel Winshaw. Some gamers might be surprised to learn she already has experience in the world of video games, since she did motion capture for Lunafreya Nox Fleuret in Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. Known for her versatility and on-screen presence, Bragason is now ready to rule Hyrule as the Princess herself.
Nintendo hasn’t shared any more casting details, so fans will have to wait a bit longer to find out who will play other iconic characters like Ganondorf.
When Is The Legend of Zelda Movie Coming to Theaters?
Originally slated for a March 26, 2027 premiere, the movie has been pushed back due to production setbacks. Insiders say casting should wrap up by the end of August, with cameras rolling in November. For now, fans can mark May 7, 2027 on their calendars as the new date when The Legend of Zelda film will finally hit the big screen.