After nearly two years of silence since announcing a live-action Legend of Zelda film, Nintendo has finally revealed the young stars stepping into the iconic roles of Link and Zelda.
The highly anticipated adaptation, originally set for March 26, 2027, is now slated for release on May 7, 2027.
Stepping into the legendary green boots (or perhaps a darker tunic this time) is 16-year-old Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, best known for his roles in The Haunting of Bly Manor and Pinocchio. Taking on the role of Zelda is 21-year-old Bo Bragason, a rising talent with a handful of credits to her name. Both are fresh faces to the Hollywood blockbuster scene, making this the most high-profile gig either has landed.
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto shared the announcement personally, expressing enthusiasm for the casting and the vision behind the film. “I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen,” Miyamoto said.
First-look promotional images show Bragason dressed in a royal blue top-an homage to Zelda’s recognizable palette-while Ainsworth sports a dark tunic that hints at Link’s classic look without going full green just yet.
Fans remain split. Some are excited to see new talent breathing life into Hyrule, while others question the decision to go live-action over animated, especially given the genre’s success with projects like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Pixar classics. There’s a camp that sees this as a bold gamble-live-action fantasy adaptations don’t always land gracefully, and Zelda’s iconic world presents a major challenge.
Still, the cast announcement brings the film one step closer to reality, and curiosity remains high. Whether it becomes a triumphant hero’s journey or a cautionary tale remains to be seen. At the very least, it gives us something to argue about until 2027.