Everything to know about ‘The Legend of Zelda' live-action movie as it casts Link and Zelda
The Legend of Zelda video game series began in 1986 and is still going strong three decades later. While other popular video games have been adapted into box-office blockbusters (think Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Super Mario Bros.), Zelda has, until now, mostly stuck to game consoles, outside of a failed animated TV series in 1986 and a fake movie trailer in 2008. Read on for everything to know about the Legend of Zelda live-action movie.
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Who's in the cast?
On July 16, 2025, Nintendo announced that 16-year-old Benjamin Evan Ainsworth had been cast as Link, and 21-year-old Bo Bragason would be playing Zelda. Ainsworth is an English actor who's best known for Netflix's limited series The Haunting of Bly Manor and for voicing Pinocchio in Disney's 2022 live-action remake. Bragason is an English actress who has appeared in Disney+'s TV show Renegade Nell and the horror-comedy film The Radleys. Fans can expect additional cast announcements in the near future.
'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, and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth,' film producer and Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto posted alongside photos of the two actors in costume. 'I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.'
Who's behind the scenes?
Wes Ball will direct the highly anticipated project. He's perhaps best known for helming the movies Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Maze Runner. The film's producers include Ball, Joe Hartwick Jr., Shigeru Miyamoto, and Avi Arad. The screenwriter has yet to be named, though T.S. Nowlin and Derek Connolly were previously attached to the project.
What's the plot?
While the plot of the movie is still unknown, it's expected to take place in the fictitious kingdom of Hyrule, which is where most of the games are set. The fantasy franchise focuses on Link, an elf-like Hylian, who, with the help of his trusty Master Sword, tries to save Princess Zelda from the evil Ganon. Even though the series is named after Zelda, she rarely appears on screen, as Link is the true main character.
When will it be released?
Mark your calendars for May 7, 2027, as that's when the live-action movie version of Link and Zelda's story will make its debut in theaters. (It was delayed slightly from the original date of March 26, 2027.) The Legend of Zelda is the working title, and the actual title could be different.
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