Coming in May 2027, the live-action Legend of Zelda movie is taking a bold approach to casting that’s the opposite of the star-studded ensemble of The Super Mario Bros. movie. A movie that did incredibly well, grossing $1.3 billion worldwide in 2023. Unlike the animated Mario movie with big names like Chris Pratt as Mario, Jack Black as Bowser and Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, the new Zelda movie is going for a different approach by casting relatively unknown talents.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will play Link and Bo Bragason will play Legend Of Zelda. The goal is to showcase new talent so audiences can form real connections with these iconic characters, free from the biases that come with big name actors. Nintendo wants to capture the essence of Hyrule’s heroes and fully immerse players in the rich world of its beloved franchise.
The casting process for The Super Mario Bros. movie. The movie has sparked a lot of debate, especially about Chris Pratt’s Mario with a Brooklyn accent. Many fans were worried if this was the right honor to the franchise. Since Ainsworth and Bragason are not well known to the public, they have the advantage of fully diving into their roles without the distractions that come with fame.
There was a lot of speculation among fans if Tom Holland would play Link but Nintendo has decided to not work with big celebrities. Through this Ainsworth and Bragason bring depth to Link and nobility to Legend Of Zelda. This approach not only makes the characters more complex but also creates a deeper connection to the source material.
The live-action Legend Of Zelda has its own unique challenges when compared to the animated Mario movie, as it requires the translation of Hyrule’s beautiful landscapes and diverse inhabitants, including Bokoblins, into a believable and compelling cinematic story. Using lesser known actors helps to focus the attention on the story and the environment rather than the celebrity presence. The animated medium of the Mario movie was a big plus, allowing performances to be over the top and match the comedy.
Legend Of Zelda is a big and emotional epic that requires a different approach that can capture its complexity. Acclaimed for his ability to create immersive worlds, Director Wes Ball (Maze Runner franchise) will bring to life a Zelda experience in the world of Hyrule. As Ainsworth and Bragason become the new faces of the franchise for the audience, this is going to be a wild ride.
Nintendo’s approach to the Legend Of Zelda movie shows they have full confidence in the franchise to stand on its own. This is similar to the Harry Potter series which launched a cinematic phenomenon with a relatively unknown cast of up and coming talent. By not using A-list celebrities they may mitigate the fear that performances will be just celebrity appearances – a criticism leveled at the recent Mario movie where the familiar voices of Pratt and Black made their characters feel shallow.
By focusing on authenticity and experience the Legend Of Zelda movie will resonate with both die hards and newcomers to the franchise and offer a new take on a beloved series. As production moves forward and filming is about to start soon, the addition of Ainsworth and Bragason is a bold move into the world of Hyrule.
