Nintendo releases names of leads for upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie

By Danielle Desouza

Nintendo has released the names of the lead actors for its upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Zelda will be played by Bo Bragason, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will star as Link.

Bragason, 21, is known for BBC One series Three Girls and British crime drama The Jetty, with Ainsworth, 16, starring in the supernatural Netflix series The Haunting of Bly Manor and being the voice of Pinocchio in Disney's live-action remake.

in a statement on X, Shigeru Miyamoto, game director at Nintendo, wrote: "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."

Read more: ITV will 'stand by' John Torode after he was axed from MasterChef over racism claim

Read more: Jayne Torvill says secret to friendship with Christopher Dean is they 'never got married'

Many fans flocked to the comments section to express their joy about the casting.

"These two look like great choices to fill in some very big shoes! Here’s to Bo and Benjamin," one user wrote.

Another posted: "Excited to see their take on such iconic roles this casting feels promising!" with another writing: "I am quite happy with this. Thanks Nintendo!"

Nintendo announced the production of a live-action film based on The Legend of Zelda back in 2023, where it was announced that the film would be produced alongside Sony Pictures.

Before the confirmation Bragason would play Zelda, there was speculation the role would go to Hunter Schafer, known for playing Jules in HBO drama Euphoria.