The Legend of Zelda Casts its Link And Zelda
Nintendo has cast Link and Zelda for its upcoming live-action ‘The Legend of Zelda’ film. Casts its Link And Zelda.
British actors Bo Bragason, 21, has been cast as Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, 16, will play the role of Link.
‘The Legend of Zelda’ creator Shigeru Miyamoto posted the news on Nintendo’s X account.
“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. (1/2)
“The film is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 7, 2027. Thank you for your patience. (2/2)”
The film, set to come out on May 7, 2027, will be the first film adaptation of the franchise, but an animated TV adaptation did come out in 1989.
The franchise was first created by Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, with the first game launching in 1986.
Since then it has gone on to become one of Nintendo’s well-known brands, with the latest franchise entry being ‘’The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom’ being released in 2024, and in an uncharacteristic move starrring Zelda as the playable character.
The franchise follows Princess Zelda and the silent warrior Link as they fight to save the kingdom of Hyrule from the evil warlord-turned-demon king called Ganon.
The story will not be an adaptaition of any of the games; instead it will be an original tale.
‘It’s unclear whether Link will speak in the film,, but it’s likely that he will have several lines.
Zelda will also likely have more screentime than she does in the games, as she often is captured.
The live-action adaptation was announced in 2023 after the success of another Nintendo film, ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’.
Sony confirmed that it would collaborate with Nintendo to co-finance the project.
Wes Ball will direct the film, best known for ‘The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ and ‘The Maze Runner’.
Ball previously told Total Film “I know it’s important, this [Zelda] franchise, to people and I want it to be a serious movie… a real movie that can give people an escape.”
“That’s the thing I want to try to create – it’s got to feel like something real. Something serious and cool, but fun and whimsical.”
Miyamoto and former Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad.will produce the film.
Derek Connolly was announced as the film’s writer, but TS Nowlin has written the latest draft.
