The long-running question of who is playing Link in the Legend of Zelda movie has finally been answered through an official announcement from Nintendo. After years of online speculation, fan campaigns, and rumored casting choices, the company confirmed that British actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will take on the iconic role of Link in the live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.
The casting announcement marks a major milestone for one of the most anticipated video game films in development. With production now complete and the movie moving through post-production, audiences have a much clearer idea of what to expect when the legendary adventure arrives in theaters in 2027.
Introduction
For nearly four decades, Link has stood among the most recognizable heroes in video game history. Armed with the Master Sword and driven by courage rather than words, the silent protagonist has led players through countless adventures across Hyrule.
Because the character traditionally speaks very little, casting Link for a live-action film was always expected to be one of the production’s biggest creative decisions. Nintendo ultimately selected Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, an actor whose growing body of work demonstrates both emotional depth and the ability to carry scenes through subtle performances.
With the lead role officially confirmed, fans can now focus on how the beloved franchise will make the transition from Nintendo consoles to the big screen.
Nintendo Officially Confirms Link’s Actor
Nintendo revealed that Benjamin Evan Ainsworth has been chosen to portray Link in the live-action adaptation.
The announcement came directly from Nintendo producer and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto, bringing an end to years of rumors surrounding the casting process.
Alongside Ainsworth’s confirmation, Nintendo also introduced Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda, giving fans their first look at the film’s two central heroes.
Unlike many previous online reports suggesting different actors, these announcements represent Nintendo’s official cast and remain the only confirmed lead performers.
Who Is Benjamin Evan Ainsworth?
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is a British actor who has steadily established himself as one of the industry’s promising young performers.
He first gained widespread recognition through television before expanding into feature films and voice acting.
His notable projects include:
- The Haunting of Bly Manor
- Disney’s live-action Pinocchio, where he voiced the title character
- Son of a Critch
- Everything’s Going to Be Great
Although his career is still developing, Ainsworth has already shown impressive versatility across fantasy, drama, family entertainment, and television productions.
Those qualities likely contributed to Nintendo’s decision when searching for someone capable of portraying one of gaming’s most beloved heroes.
Why Benjamin Evan Ainsworth Fits the Role
Unlike many action protagonists, Link is defined more by his actions than lengthy dialogue.
Throughout most Zelda games, the character communicates through facial expressions, determination, and bravery rather than conversations.
That places unique demands on any actor taking the role.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth’s previous performances have demonstrated strengths in several areas that align naturally with Link’s personality:
- Expressive non-verbal acting
- Emotional subtlety
- Youthful appearance
- Strong screen presence
- Ability to portray quiet determination
His age also reflects Nintendo’s modern interpretation of Link, particularly the versions seen in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
A Brief History of Link
Link first appeared in Nintendo’s original The Legend of Zelda in 1986.
Since then, he has become one of the company’s defining characters alongside Mario, Donkey Kong, Kirby, and Samus Aran.
Over the years, Link has starred in numerous critically acclaimed titles, including:
- A Link to the Past
- Ocarina of Time
- Majora’s Mask
- The Wind Waker
- Twilight Princess
- Skyward Sword
- Breath of the Wild
- Tears of the Kingdom
Although different games often feature different incarnations of Link across Hyrule’s timeline, every version represents courage, selflessness, and a willingness to protect the kingdom from evil.
Those qualities remain at the heart of the upcoming movie adaptation.
Meet the Rest of the Main Cast
Nintendo has gradually announced additional cast members as production has progressed.
Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda
British actress Bo Bragason has been cast as Princess Zelda.
Modern Zelda games have increasingly portrayed the princess as an intelligent, active participant in Hyrule’s struggles, and many fans expect the film to continue that direction.
Uli Latukefu as Ganondorf
Uli Latukefu has officially joined the cast as Ganondorf, the legendary antagonist of the Zelda series.
Known for his physically commanding performances, Latukefu brings significant experience to one of Nintendo’s most iconic villains.
Supporting Performers
Several additional actors have also joined the production, including:
- Dichen Lachman
- Yvonne Strahovski
- Sam Neill
Nintendo has not publicly identified every character these actors portray, choosing instead to keep much of the storyline confidential until closer to release.
The Filmmakers Bringing Hyrule to Life
The live-action adaptation is directed by Wes Ball.
His previous directing credits include:
- The Maze Runner
- Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
- Maze Runner: The Death Cure
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Ball has developed a reputation for directing visually ambitious adventure stories, making him a natural choice for Zelda’s fantasy world.
The screenplay has been written by Derek Connolly and T. S. Nowlin.
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto serves as producer alongside veteran Hollywood producer Avi Arad, ensuring both gaming and film experience guide the project.
The Challenge of Bringing Link to Live Action
Adapting Link presents unique storytelling challenges.
Unlike many famous fictional heroes, Link rarely speaks during gameplay.
Players instead experience the world through his actions.
A feature-length movie cannot rely entirely on silence, but many fans hope the film preserves Link’s calm, reserved personality while naturally expanding his interactions.
Nintendo has not revealed exactly how much dialogue Link will have, leaving one of the adaptation’s biggest creative questions unanswered.
Is the Movie Based on One Zelda Game?
Nintendo has not announced that the film adapts any single Zelda title.
Instead, available information suggests the movie draws inspiration from several eras of the franchise.
Visual elements and production details appear influenced by games such as:
- Ocarina of Time
- Twilight Princess
- Breath of the Wild
- Tears of the Kingdom
Rather than recreating one existing storyline, the film appears designed as an original adventure set within the broader mythology of Hyrule.
This approach gives the filmmakers greater flexibility while remaining faithful to the spirit of the games.
Why Fans Are Excited About the Casting
Before Nintendo made its announcement, countless fan discussions centered on who should play Link.
Some believed a well-known Hollywood star would receive the role, while others argued that a younger performer would better capture Link’s timeless appearance.
Nintendo ultimately chose the second path.
Casting Benjamin Evan Ainsworth allows audiences to see Link as the central focus rather than associating the character with an already famous celebrity.
Many longtime Zelda fans have welcomed this decision, believing it helps preserve the authenticity of the franchise.
Production Progress
Principal photography officially concluded during 2026, allowing the project to enter post-production.
The filmmaking team is now completing:
- Visual effects
- Music recording
- Sound design
- Editing
- Color grading
Nintendo continues to release information gradually, keeping major story details secret while maintaining excitement ahead of the film’s theatrical debut.
Why This Movie Is Important for Nintendo
Nintendo’s success with The Super Mario Bros. Movie demonstrated that carefully produced adaptations of its games can perform strongly with both longtime fans and new audiences.
The Zelda movie represents another significant step in the company’s expanding film strategy.
Unlike earlier video game adaptations from decades ago, Nintendo now maintains direct creative involvement throughout production.
That oversight gives many fans confidence that the movie will remain faithful to the franchise’s characters, themes, and world.
Latest Confirmed Information
As of August 2026, Nintendo has confirmed several major developments regarding the film.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth remains the official actor portraying Link, while Bo Bragason stars as Princess Zelda. Uli Latukefu has been confirmed as Ganondorf, with Dichen Lachman, Yvonne Strahovski, and Sam Neill joining the supporting cast.
Filming has wrapped successfully, and the production is currently in post-production ahead of its planned theatrical release on April 30, 2027.
Nintendo has not yet released a full trailer or detailed plot synopsis, meaning additional story information is expected closer to the movie’s premiere.
Final Thoughts
Now that Nintendo has officially answered who is playing Link in the Legend of Zelda movie, fans can finally move beyond speculation and look forward to seeing Benjamin Evan Ainsworth bring the legendary hero to life.
With a respected director, an experienced production team, and Nintendo closely involved throughout development, the film has all the ingredients to become one of the most significant video game adaptations ever released. While many story details remain under wraps, the confirmed casting has already generated considerable excitement among longtime Zelda fans and newcomers alike.
What do you think about Benjamin Evan Ainsworth taking on the role of Link? Share your thoughts below and keep following for more updates as the Zelda movie gets closer to its theatrical release.