Nintendo has revealed that the forthcoming film adaptation of the acclaimed video game series, The Legend of Zelda, will feature British actors in its lead roles.
Bo Bragason, 21, known for her role in Renegade Nell, is set to portray Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, 16, recognized for his work in Pinocchio, will take on the role of Link.
Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo announced the casting via X, stating he was “very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen”.
This marks the first cinematic endeavor for the Zelda franchise, following a previous animated TV series adaptation in 1989.
Bragason’s prior credits include appearances in the Disney+ series Renegade Nell and the BBC series Three Girls and The Jetty, in addition to roles in the horror films Censor and The Radleys.
Ainsworth’s screenography includes the 2022 live-action remake of Pinocchio, starring Tom Hanks, as well as The Haunting of Bly Manor, Everything’s Going to Be Great, and All Fun and Games alongside Asa Butterfield of Sex Education.
The Legend of Zelda film is currently slated for release in May 2027.
The narrative centers on Princess Zelda and the elf-like warrior Link as they strive to protect the land of Hyrule from the menacing Ganon.
In the video games, Link remains largely silent, though it is anticipated that this will not be the case in the film adaptation. It is also expected that Princess Zelda will have a more prominent role in the film than in the games.
The live-action film was initially announced in 2023, with Sony Pictures confirming their collaboration with Nintendo to co-finance the project.
Wes Ball, renowned for his work on The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Maze Runner, will direct the film.
Ball previously shared with 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.”
Derek Connolly of Jurassic World was initially announced as the film’s writer, but the latest draft is being penned by Ball’s previous collaborator, TS Nowlin.
The Legend of Zelda game franchise was conceived by Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, with the original game launching in 1986.
Since its inception, the franchise has remained a flagship brand for Nintendo, selling over 150 million copies across numerous installments on various consoles.
Video game adaptations have historically encountered mixed success at the box office. Titles such as Resident Evil, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat, were not always as critically acclaimed as their source material.
However, recent successes such as The Super Mario Bros Movie, Sonic The Hedgehog, A Minecraft Movie and Uncharted, in addition to the TV adaptation of The Last of Us, have shifted perceptions and improved the reputation of such adaptations.
Miyamoto and former Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad are producing the film.
The film’s release date of May 7, 2027, was previously slated for Avengers: Secret Wars, until its postponement to December.