Why didn’t the Link actor play Breath of the Wild at launch?
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth told GamesRadar he was quite young and did not own a Switch when Breath of the Wild launched in 2017. The actor, who is now playing Link in Nintendo’s live-action The Legend of Zelda film, instead encountered the game through videos made by other players.
“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,” Ainsworth said. “And so, I was watching gamers play it, and watching playthroughs, essentially.”
His account reflects a different route into Zelda from players who experienced Breath of the Wild directly at launch. Watching playthroughs still gave him an early connection to the series, but preparing to portray its central character required a broader look at the franchise.
How did Benjamin Evan Ainsworth prepare to play Link?
Ainsworth says he prepared for the role by studying Link’s history, changing portrayals, and place within the wider Zelda series. He described himself as a fan after catching up on the character’s legacy.
“Upon being fortunate enough to play this role, such an iconic character, 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,” he said. “Yeah, I’m a big fan, and just really excited, because it was an awesome thing to shoot.”
The comments offer a limited view of his preparation rather than any new information about Link’s role in the film. Ainsworth said he could not share much more, maintaining the secrecy that has surrounded the production.
What is confirmed about The Legend of Zelda movie?
The live-action The Legend of Zelda film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 30, 2027. Nintendo previously moved the date forward by one week, as covered in tbreak’s report on the Zelda movie release-date change.
Wes Ball is directing the adaptation, with Ainsworth playing Link and Bo Bragason playing Zelda. Filming in New Zealand has wrapped, but Nintendo has not disclosed the story, setting, or additional confirmed characters.
That leaves Ainsworth’s interview as an insight into the actor rather than the adaptation itself. His comments establish that he has engaged with Link’s history, while the film’s treatment of that history remains unknown.
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