After months (okay, years) of waiting and speculating, we finally have our Legend of Zelda live action cast—and let’s just say, it’s not what most of us expected.
Yep, it’s official: Bo Bragason is our Princess Zelda, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is stepping into Link’s iconic green boots. These aren’t exactly household names portraying characters from a game that changed the industry, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
Let’s break down everything you need to know—and what it all might mean.
Wait, Who Are These People?
Let’s start with the big reveal. Nintendo just confirmed that Bo Bragason, a young British actress known for her work in Three Girls, The Jetty, and Renegade Nell, is playing Princess Zelda.
You might not know her name yet, but here’s a fun little nugget: she was the 3D motion capture model for young Luna in Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV back in 2016. So, technically, she’s already dipped her toes into the fantasy world. Pretty cool, right?
As for Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, you might recognize him from The Haunting of Bly Manor or as the voice of Pinocchio in Disney’s 2022 remake. He’s only 16, but the kid’s already got a pretty impressive resume. Now, he’s tackling one of gaming’s most iconic heroes—no pressure!
What Happened to Hunter Schafer?
Here’s where it gets juicy. For a while, fans were convinced that Hunter Schafer—yes, from Euphoria—was going to play Zelda. The internet basically ran wild with it. Fan edits, Reddit threads, full-on casting predictions… and then boom, Nintendo goes in a totally different direction.
Turns out those rumors were just that—rumors. Schafer’s not involved, and now Bo Bragason is officially our Zelda. It might come as a surprise, but honestly? It’s kind of refreshing to see some new faces stepping into these legendary roles.
The Legend of Zelda Live Action Cast—Hit or Miss?
Let’s be real for a sec. This casting could go either way. On one hand, it’s a bit of a gamble. Most fans don’t really know Bo or Ben, and when you’re dealing with a franchise as beloved as Zelda, there’s always the risk of backlash.
Some folks are already wondering, “Why not go with a bigger name?” or “Can these two carry a major movie?” But here’s the thing—casting lesser-known actors can be a great move. It means fewer preconceived notions, and more room for the characters to shine on their own.
Plus, both Bragason and Ainsworth are super young, which is smart if Nintendo’s thinking long-term (sequels, anyone?). So yeah, the Legend of Zelda live action cast might not have the instant wow factor, but that doesn’t mean they won’t surprise us in the best way possible.
However, as gaming fans ourselves, we do understand the apprehension that some people are voicing. We all want our beloved video game to be adapted into one of, if not the best live action films.
But we also shouldn’t be overly critical about new actors and actresses, especially if we haven’t given them the chance to show us what they can bring to the table. For now, it’s best to just wait and see what the movie will actually be.
What’s Next for Hyrule?
Now that we know who’s playing Link and Zelda, the big question is—what’s next?
- Who’s going to play Ganon? This is HUGE. The villain can make or break the story.
- When does filming start? With a release date set for May 7, 2027, production will likely kick off soon.
- Will the story follow the games or go original? Rumor has it that the movie might blend elements from different Zeldatitles rather than sticking to just one. If true, that could be really exciting.
Director Wes Ball (of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) is at the helm, and Nintendo’s teaming up with Sony Pictures to bring this to life. The pieces are in place—it’s just a matter of execution now.
Has the Reveal of The Legend of Zelda Live Action Cast Got You Excited?
So, where do we land on this casting? Honestly, it’s kind of exciting.
The Legend of Zelda live action cast may not include A-list stars (yet), but there’s real potential here. Bo Bragason’s fantasy roots and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth’s acting chops give us hope that this duo can bring Hyrule to life in a way that’s fresh and authentic.
And let’s be real—it’s Zelda. Even if the cast isn’t what we expected, we’re still going to show up, popcorn in hand, hoping for a magical time.
Be sure to read our other news articles to keep up with what’s hot and what’s not in the gaming world. And you might want to know what the new game from Keiichiro Toyama, famous Silent Hill director and designer, might be.
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