The Hero of Time (as well as Hyrule’s princess) have been found—but not everyone’s ready to blow the Ocarina in celebration.
On Wednesday, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that The Legend of Zelda’s live-action leads will be played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Pinocchio) as Link and Bo Bragason (The Jetty, Renegade Nell) as Zelda.
The casting news dropped on Nintendo’s official social media accounts, accompanied by what appeared to be the first official images of both actors in costume.
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
“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,” Miyamoto wrote. “I am very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.”
While some fans praised the youthful casting choices and Wes Ball’s track record as director (The Maze Runner, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), others had thoughts.
Within minutes of the announcement, social media lit up with hot takes, memes, side-by-side comparisons, and the kind of emotional spiral only Zelda stans can deliver. Many welcomed the fresh faces, praising Nintendo for spotlighting lesser-known talent.
“Not at all the ones we were expecting (in fact they seem like no-names, which is actually a really noble thing of Nintendo to do to give such big roles for such young upcoming actors),” one fan wrote. “But THEY SEEM SO PERFECT FOR THEIR ROLES, they give just the right vibe !!
Another echoed the sentiment, adding, “Casting fresh faces are a good move. They both look like they’ll make great live action representations of Link and Zelda.”
Praise for Bragason in particular was widespread.
“BO BRAGASON AS PRINCESS ZELDA IS THE PERFECT VISION,” one posted.
Another agreed: “Perfect casting, she truly looks like Zelda.”
Some noted Bragason’s presence more than her fame: “Actually really happy with this, it’s a relatively unknown actress,” one comment read.
One fan added: “Awesome! She looks beautiful, she will do an excellent job as Zelda I bet.”
Fans also expressed confidence in Nintendo’s direction overall.
“Looks like a great couple of leads!” a fan exclaimed. “I have so much hope in this film and the choices they’ve been making with the director and his vision. So glad that Nintendo is heavily involved and making smart decisions for such an important undertaking of my most beloved franchise.”
That trust extended to Miyamoto personally: “Thank you, Miyamoto-san, for being so close to these productions and making sure they turn out well,” another posted.
Others were more cautiously optimistic.
“Hmmm, from those pictures alone, I am not sold on how Link and Zelda looks in the movie,” a commenter noted. “Zelda looks like a commoner girl and Link just isn’t Link with dark hair. We have to wait and see. I just hope [they] end up with personalities like in OoT.”
And while some fans shared excitement about the potential, they also recognized how much hinges on the actors’ performances.
“If she nails that quiet strength and magical aura, we might be looking at an iconic Zelda,” one noted
Still, not everyone was sold, with some wishing it “had just been an animated movie,” rather than a live action film.
Others were blunt in their disapproval, pointing to actresses like Hunter Schafer or Bella Ramsey to play the lead.
Yet even among critics, there was some openness to the casting.
“Fan casting so hardly ever good,” one wrote. “People just complain and ask for the same familiar faces they know. Then people say someone is overexposed. Let new people make a splash. Good luck to Bo.”
As another fan put it: “Thank you Nintendo! Proper casting. These two will do an excellent job. Who’s gonna be Ganon?”