The road from video game to big screen doesn’t always run smoothly but if the hype around Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda movie is anything to go by, this is one live action adaptation to get excited about. Adaptations of video games are getting better and better. From The Last of Us to A24’s recently announced Elden Ring we feel like the genre is edging closer to its Tomb Raider and Resident Evil glory days.
On July 17, it was confirmed who would step into the roles of Link and Princess Zelda. The latter has drawn particular interest from fans.
Hunter Schafer has long been rumoured to be the top choice for casting as Princess Zelda and with her extensive suite of aquamarine looks, we expected it to be more stylish than The Super Marios Bros. Movie. But alas, Bo Bragason, who is a relative newcomer best known for roles in BBC One series Three Girls and Disney+ show Renegade Nell, has nabbed the role.
“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,” Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto said in a statement. “The film is scheduled to be released in theatres on May 7, 2027. Thank you for your patience.”
While many fans are excited by the news, others are disappointed that Hunter Schafer won’t be stepping into the lead role and since the speculation around her possible casting generated so much buzz, it has many wondering what happened. Here’s everything we know about the film and recent casting announcement.
Why Did Fans Think Hunter Schafer Would Play Princess Zelda in The Legend of Zelda?
A week ago, we’d have said we had good reason to believe Hunter Schafer (best known for her role in HBO’s Euphoria) would be taking the lead role of Princess Zelda. The actor has already leapt to the big screen with parts in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Yorgos Lanthimos’s Kinds of Kindness and the horror movie Cuckoo.
She was undoubtedly a fan favourite. When news of the movie broke in November 2023, Twitter (now X) lit up, and Schafer seemed open to the project. When Entertainment Tonight asked her if she’d be interested, she declared herself a fan of the game and the concept. “That would be so cool. I love the game, personally. I played it as a kid, and I still play it now. Who knows!”
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Then, in June, industry insider Daniel Richtman (DanielRPK), whose Patreon is paywalled, claimed Schafer was being seriously considered for the titular role.
Patricia Summersett, who voices Zelda, also expressed interest, and actor Emma Myers, who starred in A Minecraft Movie, confirmed she’d jump on the role. “I mean, whoever will have me in their video game move,” the confirmed gamer told Digital Spy. She went on to list The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption and Portal as on her list so she’s non to discriminating.
Why Do People Think Hunter Schafer Wasn’t Cast As Zelda?
There are a few reasons people think she wasn’t cast as Zelda. For starters, her schedule. Schafer is more in demand, is currently filming the third season of Euphoria, and is rumoured to be taking the role of Mystique in the upcoming X-Men reboot. From what Schafer has said previously, it seems the likelihood of her taking the role will come down to timing. So, there is a world where she was offered the role and had to decline due to a clash in schedules.
The other reasons point more to the mixed response from fans of the games, following the heightened speculation about Schafer’s possible casting. This has also been reflected in the response to Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth’s casting as Zelda and Link respectively.
“I don’t know who they are. Which is perfect,” wrote one commenter, whose sentiment is echoed throughout the comments. Many are pleased to see newcomers step into the main roles, saying they’re sick of seeing the same people in every film and TV show. “You know what. Good on Nintendo for casting lesser known actors in such a valuable franchise. We need to continue making stars, rather than recycling the same 10,” said another.
Just as many comments note that Hunter was “robbed” of the role. One commenter wrote, “This was meant for Hunter”, while another said “WE WANTED HUNTER”. Many have noted that the rumour surrounding Schafer was made up by the internet rumour mill, but regardless, the comment sections have also become a breeding ground for transphobes, whose disgusting, shouty comments we won’t repeat.
Who Else Is In The Legend of Zelda Cast?
Along with Bo Bragason being cast as Zelda, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who is best known for his role in The Haunting of Bly Manor, will play Link.
When Will The Legend of Zelda Movie Be Released?
The Legend of Zelda is set to start production in November 2026, in New Zealand. It’s due to be released by Sony Pictures May 7, 2027.
Is There a The Legend of Zelda Movie Trailer?
We’re assuming we’ll be waiting until 2027 for a The Legend of Zelda movie trailer. You can, however, entertain yourself with plenty of fan made trailers.
Who Is Producing And Directing The Legend of Zelda?
Wes Ball who directed The Maze Runner (2014-2018) and Kingdom of the Planet of The Apes (2024). He said he’s taking the project very seriously. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long freakin’ time, of how cool a Zelda movie would,” he told Total Film. “I want to fulfil people’s greatest desires. I know it’s important, this [Zelda] franchise to people.” He said he wanted to make “a real movie that can give people an escape” describing his ideal adaptation as “serious and cool, but fun and whimsical.”
Zelda creator and game developer Shigeru Miyamoto will also work on the film. In 2023, he shared on Nintendo’s social media channels that he had already been working on the project for some time with Spiderman producer Avi Arad-san. “”I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films. I have asked Avi-san to produce this film with me, and we have now officially started the development of the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production. It will take time until its completion, but I hope you look forward to seeing it.”
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