Neither Hunter Schafer nor Saoirse Ronan: This Is the Actress Who Will Play Princess Zelda
Shigeru Miyamoto confirms the cast of the live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s beloved game
After months of speculation and rumors naming actresses like Hunter Schafer and Saoirse Ronan, Nintendo has finally put the questions to rest: British actress Bo Bragason will play Princess Zelda in the highly anticipated live-action The Legend of Zelda movie. The announcement came directly from Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of the franchise and the film’s producer, in an official statement posted on Nintendo’s X account (formerly Twitter).
“I’m very pleased to announce that for the live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, Zelda will be portrayed by Bo Bragason-san and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san. I look forward to seeing them on the big screen,” Miyamoto wrote. The news has sparked a wave of reactions across social media, with many fans celebrating the casting choice, while others are still processing the surprise of not seeing their favorite rumored actresses in the roles.
宮本です。「ゼルダの伝説」の実写映画は、ゼルダ役をBo Bragasonさん、リンク役をBenjamin Evan Ainsworthさんに演じていただくことになりました。おふたりの出演が今から楽しみです。「ゼルダの伝説」実写映画は2027年5⽉7⽇に劇場公開予定です。もうしばらくお待ちください。 pic.twitter.com/jctWHvvYgi
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) July 16, 2025
Who Is Bo Bragason, the New Princess Zelda?
Bo Bragason, 21, is a British actress born in Chichester, West Sussex, in 2004. While her name may not be widely known yet, she began her acting career at a very young age. Her professional debut was in 2007 at just three years old, in the film Hidden Love. However, her breakout role came in 2017 with the BBC miniseries Three Girls, where she portrayed Rachel Winshaw in a true story about child abuse in the UK.
Since then, Bragason has appeared in projects such as Censor (2021), Renegade Nell, and The Jetty, establishing herself as an up-and-coming talent in British film and television. She also lent her voice to a character in the Final Fantasy XV prequel, marking her first foray into video games.
What to Expect from the Movie
The Legend of Zelda movie will be the first live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s iconic franchise, which launched in 1986 and has sold over 150 million copies worldwide. The film is set to premiere on May 7, 2027, and will be directed by Wes Ball, known for his work on The Maze Runner series and Planet of the Apes: Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
This project is a co-production between Nintendo and Sony Pictures Entertainment, with veteran producer Avi Arad—known for his work on Spider-Man, Iron Man, and X-Men—serving as executive producer. Miyamoto’s hands-on involvement as producer is seen as a guarantee that the film will stay true to the spirit of the video game.
While the official plot synopsis hasn’t been revealed yet, the story is expected to explore the origins of Link and Zelda in the kingdom of Hyrule, weaving an epic narrative full of action, fantasy, and adventure. The casting of Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link has also caught attention; the young actor is known for his roles in The Haunting of Bly Manor and as the voice of Pinocchio in Disney’s 2022 adaptation.
With Bo Bragason leading the cast, the film promises to offer a fresh take on Princess Zelda, moving away from the “damsel in distress” stereotype and portraying her as a strong, complex heroine. The countdown to Hyrule’s arrival on the big screen has officially begun.