Activist Upset With Nintendo Decision
Nintendo is facing backlash from transgender activists following its casting announcement for the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. The criticism centers around the company’s decision to cast actress Bo Bragason in the titular role of Zelda, rather than selecting a transgender actor — a demand that has gained traction among a vocal segment of online advocates.
宮本です。「ゼルダの伝説」の実写映画は、ゼルダ役をBo Bragasonさん、リンク役をBenjamin Evan Ainsworthさんに演じていただくことになりました。おふたりの出演が今から楽しみです。「ゼルダの伝説」実写映画は2027年5⽉7⽇に劇場公開予定です。もうしばらくお待ちください。 pic.twitter.com/jctWHvvYgi
— 任天堂株式会社 (@Nintendo) July 16, 2025
The controversy stems from a long-standing fan theory rooted in a subplot from the 2006 game The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, in which Zelda briefly disguises herself as a male warrior named Sheik. Some fans and LGBTQ+ activists have interpreted this as indicative of a transgender identity, though Nintendo has never officially endorsed this reading. On the contrary, the company has consistently characterized Zelda as a female character.
In a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter), Nintendo executive Shigeru Miyamoto confirmed the lead roles. “This is Miyamoto. I am pleased to announce that for the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda, Zelda will be played by Bo Bragason-san, and Link by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth-san,” he wrote. The film is being co-produced with Sony Pictures.
I’ll NEVER forgive them for not casting hunter , imagine caving into incels that are suffering from the male loneliness epidemic. pic.twitter.com/38m7fHto4r
— queen 👑 (@transtruther70) July 16, 2025
Following the announcement, social media platforms saw a wave of criticism from users who had hoped transgender actor Hunter Schafer would be selected for the role, citing a resemblance to the character. However, neither Nintendo nor Sony ever suggested Schafer was under consideration.
They had the chance to make a 100% PERFECT casting decision with Hunter Schafer and screwed THAT up somehow https://t.co/m1KgJSLJaw pic.twitter.com/Xa2hkX2vk0
— Squirts Falafel (@jch274s) July 16, 2025
As it stands, the Zelda franchise does not include any characters confirmed to be LGBTQ+ in its canonical storylines. Link has always been depicted as a male hero, and Zelda as a female royal, throughout the series’ nearly four-decade history.
We needed Hunter Schafer as Zelda. For people who say “Zelda isn’t a man”, Hunter is a woman and zelda is not human too, she also needs to be a Hylan actor.
— Mohagj020 (@MGj020) July 16, 2025