Nintendo has finally revealed the two young actors who will be playing the roles of Link and Zelda in the upcoming live-action film, The Legend of Zelda.
In late 2023, after the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo announced that it was developing a live-action movie based on The Legend of Zelda, the long-running video game series that has captured gamers' imaginations since its inception way back in 1986.
The film is being directed by Wes Ball (Maze Runner, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) and developed under Sony Pictures, who will co-finance and distribute it worldwide.
Last week, on July 16, the franchise's creator Shigeru Miyamoto (also responsible for the likes of Mario and Donkey Kong), who's onboard to produce alongside Avi Arad and Ball, shared the following tweet announcing the film's two leads:
“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)”
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
British actor Bo Bragason is best known for her roles in Renegade Nell and The Radleys, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth has appeared in Flora & Ulysses and Disney's 2022 Pinocchio remake. But although many Zelda fans are delighted with the news, some have expressed their disappointment at Bragason landing the role of Princess Zelda.
In 2023, trans actor Hunter Schafer, best known for her roles in Euphoria and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, was fan-cast into the role of Zelda by fans who believed that she shared a striking resemblance with the beloved Nintendo character.
Related: Universal Speaks Out on Major Zelda Expansion at Epic Universe
That fan-casting continued until recently, with many hopeful the star would land the role of the Princess of Hyrule. However, last week, when it was revealed that Bo Bragason had secured the part, fans of Schafer wasted no time in expressing their dismay on X (Twitter).
“We got robbed” one fan wrote on X:
We got robbed pic.twitter.com/xpLUNRXaEQ
— Rei (@ReiJoestar13) July 16, 2025
Another echoed these sentiments: “We were robbed”:
We were robbed pic.twitter.com/3Dilyl8f8S
— Limer (@racev4hunt) July 16, 2025
@MGj020 wrote, “We needed Hunter Schafer as Zelda. For people who say ‘Zelda isn't a man', Hunter is a woman and Zelda is not human too, she also needs to be a Hylian actor.” It's unclear whether the user is trolling with regards to the comment around the actor playing Zelda needing to be “Hylian” or is just a bit confused, as Hylian refers to the land Hyrule, the fictional setting for The Legend of Zelda:
We needed Hunter Schafer as Zelda. For people who say “Zelda isn't a man”, Hunter is a woman and zelda is not human too, she also needs to be a Hylan actor.
— Mohagj020 (@MGj020) July 16, 2025
@transtruther70 says, “I'll NEVER forgive them for not casting Hunter, imagine caving into incels that are suffering from the male loneliness epidemic”:
I'll NEVER forgive them for not casting hunter , imagine caving into incels that are suffering from the male loneliness epidemic. pic.twitter.com/38m7fHto4r
— queen 👑 (@transtruther70) July 16, 2025
However, many fans are glad Schafer wasn't cast into the role; some because they believe that female roles should be filled by biologically female actors, and others because they're tired of “wokeness” ruining films, television shows, and other projects. @LaGioco44166906 appears to speak for many on the platform with their comments:
“For now, I'm really glad that this trans woman, Hunter Schafer, wasn't chosen for the role of Zelda… Movies tainted by political correctness bring nothing but harm. The person who was chosen is absolutely stunning, so I'm looking forward to the movie!”
とりあえずこのハンターシェイファーってトランス女性がゼルダ役に選ばれなくて本当によかった…ポリコレに染まった映画は百害あって一利なし。
選ばれた方すごく美人なので映画期待できるなあ#ゼルダの伝説 #ゼルダ役 pic.twitter.com/FFlBDtgNTH— Lance (@LaGioco44166906) July 16, 2025
In response to Miyamoto‘s official announcement, Brianna Wu, who had already shared a lengthy statement on X about how casting Schafer into the role over Bragason would have made more sense, while criticizing Nintendo for playing it “as safe as possible,” doubled-down on the fan-casting, saying, “I'm sorry, this is silly. If anyone was ever born to play Princess Zelda, it is Hunter Schafer.”
I’m sorry this is silly. If anyone was ever born to play princess Zelda, it is Hunter Schafer. https://t.co/xHgzOEQDms pic.twitter.com/KEfLx9qPB5
— Brianna Wu (@BriannaWu) July 16, 2025
Sadly, the comment sections are filled with transphobic remarks from many individuals. Here's hoping this discourse fades before production begins, because if there's one property that doesn't need to be mired in controversy, it's a beloved one like this.
The Legend of Zelda is scheduled to be released in theaters on May 7, 2027.
How do you feel about this casting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
