After years of silence and speculation, Nintendo has finally broken the silence surroundingThe Legend of Zeldalive-action adaptation — and it did so in style. In a message straight fromShigeru Miyamotohimself, the company confirmed who will bring the iconic characters ofLinkandZeldato life on the big screen.
Bo Bragason has been cast as Princess Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will play the silent hero, Link. The announcement comes directly from Miyamoto, the legendary creator behind the franchise, who appeared in an official post to share the news and ask fans, once again, for a little more patience.
This is Miyamoto. The live-action The Legend of Zelda movie will feature Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link. I’m really looking forward to seeing them both. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on June 05, 2025. Please wait just a bit longer.”
Fresh Faces, Familiar Legends
The casting may come as a surprise to some. Instead of going the typical Hollywood route with well-known actors,Nintendoand its partners are taking a different approach — one that echoes the spirit of the games themselves.
The employment of relatively lesser-known but talented up-and-coming actors suggests a focus on realism and character development versus stardom.
Nintendo Surprises With Live-Action Zelda Movie Announcement
Bo Bragason, who is somewhat of an unknown to the majority of audiences, and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth — The Haunting of Bly Manor star — are not tied to a large blockbuster franchise, which means they have room to stretch in their roles without fan expectations weighing them down.It’s a bold move, but one that could pay off if the performances match the legacy of the franchise.
Directed by the Mind Behind Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Behind the camera isWes Ball, who recently directedKingdom of the Planet of the Apes. He has experience in having done large-scale visual storytelling and world-building and is therefore the perfect candidate for the job of bringing Hyrule — a world of ancient ruins, mythic relics, and centuries-spanning conflicts between good and evil — to the screen.
Nintendo is keeping a firm grip on the adaptation, keeping close ties to the creative process. It has teamed up withSony Picturesand veteran producer Avi Arad —Spider-Manand other huge comic-to-movie franchises' man — which means this project isn’t just a one-off. It’s an all-betters, and the hype is off the charts.
A Franchise That Defined Generations
Since its debut in 1986,The Legend of Zeldahas sold over 140 million copies worldwide. It’s not only a flagship Nintendo franchise — it’s one of gaming’s most iconic series of all time. From the early pixelated escapades to the open-world mastery of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda has set the standard for how we approach exploration, puzzles, and heroic storytelling.
But transferring that magic onto the big screen is another animal altogether. There have been countless adaptations of fan-favorite games that have faltered under the strain. Nintendo itself appears to be painfully aware of that, which may be why it’s waited so long — and why Miyamoto himself is so personally invested.
Mark the Date: June 07, 2025
With release date secured and leading cast assembled, the gears are in motion. Whether or not this film manages to capture the spirit of the games or carves out an entirely new cinematic legacy for Hyrule, one thing is certain: the legend is going to embark on a new chapter.
For decades, fans have been waiting to witness Link and Zelda jump off consoles and onto the big screen. And if Nintendo gets this right,The Legend of Zeldamight not just be a fantastic game adaptation but rather the model for how to do it properly.
