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Nintendo have served up some surprising news in the Legend of Zelda video adaptation. While Hunter Schafer was rumoured for the role of Zelda, two little-known stars have been cast: Bro Bragason, 21 and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, 16.
Bro Bragason will play the role of Zelda, while Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will be stepping into the role of Link.
Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto said he was “very much looking forward to seeing both of them on the big screen.”
Here’s everything we know about Bo Bragason and the Legend of Zelda cast — and why the news Hunter Schafer has missed out on the role is so controversial.
Who Is Bo Bragason?
Bo Bragason is a lesser-known name than Hunter Schafer, who was the fan favourite for the role. According to IMDB the 21-year-old British actor has appeared in the Disney+ series Renegade Nell. and two BBC series Three Girls and The Jetty. She has also appeared in two horror films: Censor and The Radleys.
Bragason keeps things pretty chill on Instagram, where she primarily posts selfies wearing wired headphones (a candidate for Wired It Girls?). She’s yet to share the news on her personal Instagram.
Who Is Benjamin Ainsworth?
Benjamin Ainsworth, a 16-year-old British actor, will step into the role of silent hero Link. The actor is best known for roles in Pinochhio, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Everything’s Going to Be Great, and All Fun and Games.
Why Wasn’t Hunter Schafer Cast In Legend Of Zelda?
This is the first attempt to adapt the popular video game into a film, and there was heated speculation surrounding casting, with big names like Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer and Troye Sivan being considered for the leads.
Fan reactions to the casting news were mixed. On Variety’s Instagram post, some fans expressed relief that lesser-known actors had been cast, while others expressed frustration that Schafer and actors like Timothée Chalamet had been overlooked.
Some fans even speculated that transphobia had contributed to the casting decision. Zelda has a diverse fan base in the gaming community, and rumours that Schafer, who is trans, was going to step into the role were met with transphobic opposition in some forums.
“Of course, they were scared to cast Hunter Schafer,” wrote a commentator who was met with a series of transphobic comments, while others jumped in writing “protect the dolls.” Some fans thought Nintendo’s casting decision had more to do with the age appropriateness of the characters themselves. “[As] perfect as hunter may looked for the role, it’s clear they were looking to cast a bit younger.”
What Is Legend of Zelda About?
We don’t have confirmation of the plot details, but The Legend of Zelda video games, which have sold over 150 million copies, often focus on Link and his battle against the series villain Ganon.
First released in 1986, it is one of Nintendo’s most iconic and successful franchises, with 20 titles and many spin-offs released over the last four decades. While the stories vary, they all revolve around the main character Link, the brave and largely silent hero who is on a quest to rescue the titular Princess Zelda and protect the kingdom of Hyrule. While the threats vary, the most consistent is the evil and porcine Ganondorf (often referred to as Ganon). Link faces many challenges on his journey, and the game is complete with puzzles, riddles, monsters and ancient lore. Essentially? Great fodder for a film.
Wes Ball, who will direct the film and has previously directed The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Maze Runner, previously told Total Film that he wanted the movie to be “serious but whimsical.” “That’s the thing I want to try to create – it’s got to feel like something real. Something serious and cool, but fun and whimsical.”
Jurassic World’s Derek Connolly was previously announced as the film’s writer, but the latest draft has been written by Ball’s previous collaborator TS Nowlin.
Who Else Will Be In The Legend of Zelda Cast?
So far, no other names have been mentioned, and it’s unclear what other characters from the game series will be involved in the production. Characters we can assume will be cast include the evil Ganon (short for Ganondorf) and the King of Hyrule, Zelda’s father. Jason Momoa and Winston Duke’s names have both been mentioned as potential candidates for the role of Ganon in fan forums.
The Legend of Zelda is set to start production in November 2026, in New Zealand. It’s due to be released by Sony Pictures on March 26, 2027.
We’re assuming we’ll be waiting until 2027 for a Legend of Zelda movie trailer. You can, however, entertain yourself with plenty of fan made trailers.
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