Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, the young actor cast as Link in Nintendo’s upcoming live-action Zelda film, has prompted a wave of nostalgia by reminding fans how long it’s been since The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild launched on Nintendo Switch.
Breath of the Wild released on March 3, 2017, as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch and simultaneously on Wii U, and remains one of Nintendo’s most influential Zelda entries developed by Nintendo EPD.
Ainsworth spoke to GamesRadar while discussing his role on HBO’s House of the Dragon.
He told the outlet that he cannot reveal many details about the film, but that he clearly remembers Breath of the Wild’s 2017 release and that he did not own a Switch at the time.
Instead, he watched other players and playthroughs to experience the game.
Paraphrasing his comments: Ainsworth said he couldn’t share specifics about the movie, but that he vividly remembers the game’s launch and originally experienced it through watching others rather than playing on his own console.
The actor — born in 2008 — added that taking on such an iconic role made him look back at the franchise’s four-decade history and the many interpretations of the character’s voice and tone.
In his words, playing Link prompted a deeper appreciation of the series’ legacy and variety of portrayals.
Verified production details remain limited, but Nintendo and the film’s production team announced a worldwide release date of April 30, 2027, after principal photography wrapped earlier this year.
Ainsworth will star alongside Bo Bragason, who has been reported to portray Princess Zelda.
Beyond those core details, official trailers and release information have been sparse; fans are likely to wait for an official announcement or a reveal spot — the kind historically shown in Nintendo Direct presentations — to learn more about casting, creative teams, and release plans on platforms such as the eShop for any related digital tie-ins.
Breath of the Wild’s 2017 launch left a lasting mark on Nintendo’s modern era, and Ainsworth’s recent remarks serve as a reminder of how the game’s initial release aligned with the Switch’s debut nearly a decade ago.
With the film now scheduled for spring 2027, the next months should clarify how the adaptation interprets the franchise for new and returning audiences.
Breath of the Wild released on March 3, 2017, as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch and simultaneously on Wii U, and remains one of Nintendo’s most influential Zelda entries developed by Nintendo EPD.
Ainsworth spoke to GamesRadar while discussing his role on HBO’s House of the Dragon.
He told the outlet that he cannot reveal many details about the film, but that he clearly remembers Breath of the Wild’s 2017 release and that he did not own a Switch at the time.
Instead, he watched other players and playthroughs to experience the game.
Paraphrasing his comments: Ainsworth said he couldn’t share specifics about the movie, but that he vividly remembers the game’s launch and originally experienced it through watching others rather than playing on his own console.
The actor — born in 2008 — added that taking on such an iconic role made him look back at the franchise’s four-decade history and the many interpretations of the character’s voice and tone.
In his words, playing Link prompted a deeper appreciation of the series’ legacy and variety of portrayals.
Verified production details remain limited, but Nintendo and the film’s production team announced a worldwide release date of April 30, 2027, after principal photography wrapped earlier this year.
Ainsworth will star alongside Bo Bragason, who has been reported to portray Princess Zelda.
Beyond those core details, official trailers and release information have been sparse; fans are likely to wait for an official announcement or a reveal spot — the kind historically shown in Nintendo Direct presentations — to learn more about casting, creative teams, and release plans on platforms such as the eShop for any related digital tie-ins.
Breath of the Wild’s 2017 launch left a lasting mark on Nintendo’s modern era, and Ainsworth’s recent remarks serve as a reminder of how the game’s initial release aligned with the Switch’s debut nearly a decade ago.
With the film now scheduled for spring 2027, the next months should clarify how the adaptation interprets the franchise for new and returning audiences.
