The Legend of Zelda gets first look images – but fans still want Hunter Schafer in the lead role
The Legend of Zelda first look image. (Nintendo)
The Legend of Zelda first look image. (Nintendo)
The first images from the movie adaptation of The Legend of Zelda have been unveiled, showing actress Bo Bragason in the lead role, not trans star Hunter Schafer.
A movie based on the popular video game series was first announced in 202,3 with fans quickly rushing to the Internet to fancast Euphoria star Schafer in the lead role.
However, in July, Nintendo game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, who is also producing the film, shared that Bragason, a British actress, had been cast as Zelda. Meanwhile, The Haunting Of Bly Manor’s Benjamin Ainsworth, also British, has been cast as Link.
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 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.
In the first look images revealed on Monday (17 November), Bragason and Ainsworth can be seen as their respective characters. Zelda is shown with her signature weapon set – a bow and arrows – as well as her characteristic long, flowing hair.
Both characters appear in recreations of their iconic Hylian garb as well, complete with pointy ears.
One common thread among reactions online is that fans wish the lead role had gone to Schafer, who bears a resemblance to Zelda.
“Still haven’t figured out why Hunter Schafer wasn’t chosen for the role of Zelda,” wrote one person on X/Twitter. Another added, “Should’ve been hunter schafer.”
toujours pas compris pourquoi hunter schafer n’ai pas été choisie pour le rôle de zelda https://t.co/xIxsOIPsHZ pic.twitter.com/hf8RI8OmyC
— cam hihi (@CinnamongirIs_) November 17, 2025
Sharing a clip of Schafer another X/Twitter user said, “It should have been her,” while someone else said the Euphoria star “deserved the Zelda lead.” Many other social media users questioned why Schafer hadn’t been cast.
There has also been a positive reaction to the images from some quarters. One person shared a close up of Ainsworth as Link alongside fan art of Link and wrote, “damn they did a good job on casting,” marvelling at the closeness.
“God, they look amazing,” added another fan. Another person put, “in wes ball I trust.”
damn they did a good job on casting, the actor for link looks a lot like the character. https://t.co/s3x1AHEwVn pic.twitter.com/2QdBX49Wnf
— for the culture (@industrystn) November 17, 2025
The Legend of Zelda film is being directed by Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Maze Runner trilogy’s Wes Ball.
The film s set for a theatre release of 7 May 2027.
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