Summary
After the runaway box office success ofThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo is continuing to adventure into the world of film by turning their other gaming franchises into movies. Next on the docket isThe Legend of Zelda, which last year was confirmed to have a live-action adaptation in development, co-produced by Sony’s Avi Arad.
Given that Nintendo is taking a different approach withZeldaby making it a live-action film franchise compared to the animated stylings ofMario, many fans are curious about who will take on the role of some of the series' most iconic characters. For the role of Link, there are a lot of different directions Nintendo could go to fill the boots of their silent Hylian hero, but these are some great options.
8Walker Scobell
The Master Sword Is Mightier Than His Pen
Hollywood was introduced toWalker Scobellwhen the 15-year-old actor played a younger version of Ryan Reynolds in Netflix’sThe Adam Project. He’s truly caught the industry’s eye withhis portrayal of Percy Jacksonin the Disney+ seriesPercy Jackson & the Olympians. In that series, Scobell shows that he could certainly hold his own with the Master Sword.
The only downside to casting Scobell would be based on Nintendo’s decision to have Link talk or not in the live-actionZeldafilm. As the young actor has shown in his short career, he’s great at one-liners and quips, verbally going toe-to-toe with Reynolds even on their press tour together. It’d be a shame if they wasted Scobell on a role with no dialogue.
7Thomas Brodie-Sangster
From Westeros To Hyrule…
Most may recognizeThomas Brodie-Sangster’sface from his roles in shows likeGame of ThronesorThe Queen’s Gambit, but the English actor is maybe more notably the voice of Ferb in the animated kids' seriesPhineas & Ferb. Either way, the actor has an incredibly long resume of projects that have endeared him to certain fandoms.
Playing the role of Link inThe Legend of Zeldamay not be a stretch for the actor, to say the least. That being said, Brodie-Sangster is well into his 30s, so perhaps the time for him to embody a character as young as Link traditionally is has passed. He certainly has the acting chops to not be wasted in the role.
6Tom Holland
He’s The Friendly Neighborhood Hero Of Time
Tom Hollandcertainly doesn’t need the role of Link to cement his legacy in nerdy film history. Since 2016, Holland has been perhaps the most beloved actor to portraythe iconic role of Spider-Man, and starring in some of the most financially successful Marvel films of all time as a result. It’s easy to imagine Holland embracing his natural British accent for the role of Link.
However, there may be a big reason why the actor wouldn’t take the role. Holland has already starred in a video game adaptation, which is the 2022Unchartedfilm, in the role of Nathan Drake. Due to that film’s mixed reviews, Holland could be hesitant to do another video game film so quickly, unless he’s drawn in by Nintendo’s passion to bring Link to life.
5Lucas Hedges
Hyrule Is No Moonrise Kingdom
The late 2010s saw a few great years for the youngLucas Hedges, as he starred inseveral critically-acclaimed dramas, includingLady Bird,Manchester by the Sea, andBoy Erased. In the past few years, Hedges has refocused his career on theater acting and writing, but perhaps he’s due for the blockbuster spotlight he deserves withThe Legend of Zelda.
Compared to other actors on this list, Hedges has thoroughly proven his dramatic chops, so he could fit in the role of Link if Nintendo decides to take a more serious approach to their live-action Hyrule adaptation. Hedges' overall avoidance of blockbuster films could also be a reason why he wouldn’t do it, but who’s to say what the future holds?
4Justice Smith
Another Helping Of Dungeons And Dragons
Justice Smithhas a solid resume to play Link in aLegend of Zeldamovie, with one of his most significant roles beingin the live-actionDetective Pikachumovie. Plus, Smith also appeared in the 2023 filmDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, which could be a good showcase for him seamlessly fitting into the fantasy world of Hyrule.
Given Smith’s fandom of Nintendo, he would be a solid choice for the role of Link, while also bringing something new to the table due to the roles he’s typically cast in. The actor has also starred opposite Elle Fanning in 2020’sAll the Bright Places, which could make for good chemistry if the two ended up as a Link and Princess Zelda duo.
3Troye Sivan
He Just Got Started
Troye Sivanis likely more well-known for his music career, but the Australian pop star has done his fair share of acting before. Notably, Sivan has starred inX-Men Origins: Wolverine,Boy Erased, and more recently, HBO’sThe Idol. The role of Link in aZeldamovie could be the mainstream transition into film acting that Sivan has been teasing for years.
What would also be beneficial about casting Sivan as Link would be representation. As seen inthe music video for Sivan’s “One of Your Girls,“the queer performer capably took on a feminine look, so perhaps Sivan playing Link could lean into the character’s notable androgyny. Sadly, Sivan’s music is probably not the right vibe to make the cut on the film’s soundtrack.
2Jamie Campbell Bower
Trading Excalibur For The Master Sword
Like Brodie-Sangster, it’s possible thatJamie Campbell Bowermight have already aged out of playing Link. Nevertheless, if Nintendo is content with a slightly older version of the hero, Bower could be a good choice if they wanted a more game-accurate look. The actor has already appeared in films popular in many fandoms,from theHarry Potterfranchise toStranger Things.
Bower would also be a great choice for Link specifically due to his background as a musician, playing in both the punk band Counterfeit and pursuing a solo career. Music is a vital motif throughout theZeldafranchise, so if they want this version of Link to flex the ocarina or lyre, Bower could be the perfect casting decision.
1Dominic Sessa
Featuring Paul Giamatti As Tingle
Dominic Sessais a brand-new discovery in Hollywood, having been plucked out of high school to star alongside Paul Giamatti and Da’Vine Joy Randolph in the 2023 Alexander Payne filmThe Holdovers,which is currently nominated for Best Picture. The young actor stuns with his brooding, classic look, and even showcases some strong athletic ability.
It’s unclear where Sessa’s career is going to go after his first role, but given the acclaim, it would make sense for Nintendo to pursue the actor to play an older Link. It might be hard to imagine Sessa sporting Link’s typical blonde look, but with a great performance underneath all the dress-up, Sessa could be a Hero of Time that’s more than memorable.
