Benjamin Evan Ainsworth has revealed that he wasn’t able to experience The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild when it first launched because he was still too young to own a Nintendo Switch.
The actor, who will play Link in Nintendo and Sony’s upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie, shared how his connection to the beloved franchise began by watching gameplay online before eventually looking into its decades-long history.
Speaking with GamesRadar+ during an interview focused on House of the Dragon Season 3, Ainsworth explained that his introduction to The Legend of Zelda came through YouTube playthroughs rather than firsthand experience.
“I can’t speak too much on the film itself, but I remember vividly when Breath of the Wild came out – and it might show my age – but I remember being quite young at the time when it came out, and so I didn’t have a Switch at the time. And so, I was watching gamers play it, and watching playthroughs, essentially,”
he said.
The actor added that landing the role inspired him to explore the franchise’s rich legacy.
“Going back and realizing the 40 years of legacy and history… Yeah, I’m a big fan, and just really excited, because it was an awesome thing to shoot. New Zealand is a wonderful place. But yeah, can’t say too much more,”
Ainsworth said.
Nintendo announced Ainsworth as Link alongside Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda, with director Wes Ball leading the live-action adaptation. The film is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 7, 2027, making it one of Nintendo’s most anticipated video game adaptations.
