Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who is set to portray Link in the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, revealed that he was unable to play the critically acclaimed Breath of the Wild upon its 2017 release. The 17-year-old actor explained that his age was a primary factor, as he was only eight years old when the game launched. Additionally, Ainsworth did not own a Nintendo Switch at the time, leading him to experience the game through playthroughs instead.
While he missed the initial release, Ainsworth has since familiarized himself with the franchise. He noted that he has been "going back and realizing the 40 years of legacy and history, and the varied tones, the varied stories, the varied renditions and vocal performances of this character as well." Ainsworth described his experience shooting the film as "an awesome thing to shoot," though he could not share specific details about his role as Link.
The Legend of Zelda film is slated for a July 30, 2027 release date, with Wes Ball directing. Production has largely taken place in New Zealand. While the movie will not coincide with the series' 40th anniversary, Nintendo has announced a remake of Ocarina of Time for the Switch 2, scheduled for release in 2026, indicating a near return to Hyrule for fans.