The Legend of Zelda finds its Zelda – and it’s not Hunter Schafer
The Legend Of Zelda has found its titular character for the live action movie. (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom/Nintendo)
The Legend Of Zelda has found its titular character for the live action movie. (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom/Nintendo)
The Legend of Zelda has found its Zelda for the live-action movie, but it isn’t Hunter Schafer.
It’s bad news for fans of the Euphoria star, as Nintendo and Sony have gone in a different direction for the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda movie. Reports previously suggested that producers were considering the trans actress for the titular star after fans rallied for Schafer to be cast in the film.
On Wednesday (16 July), Nintendo game designer and film producer Shigeru Miyamoto shared that instead, up-and-coming actress Bo Bragason would take on Zelda, while The Haunting Of Bly Manor’s Benjamin Ainsworth will portray Link.
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) pic.twitter.com/KA5XW3lwul
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) July 16, 2025
English actress Bragason is known for her roles in BBC One’s Three Girls and The Jetty and Disney+’s Renegade Nell. She also starred in Euros Lyn’s 2024 vampire comedy film The Radleys.
Ainsworth, who is also an English actor, is also known as the voice of Pinocchio in Robert Zemeckis’ live-action version of the movie. He also features in the Canadian comedy series Son of a Critch, and featured in one episode in Netflix’s The Sandman.
“This is Miyamoto,” the producer wrote via Nintendo’s official account. “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,” he shared alongside what appeared to be first-look photos of the actors in costume.
The live-action adaptation of the ever-loved video game, which was first released by Nintendo in 1986, is set to be directed by The Maze Runner and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Wes Ball. A plot synopsis for the upcoming film is yet to be released.
The Legend of Zelda is set for a theatre release of 7 May 2027, a two-month delay from its initial March 2027 date due to “production reasons”, Miyamoto announced in June.
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