As excitement builds for the upcoming Legend of Zelda live-action movie, Google has quietly joined the celebration—with a few cleverly hidden tributes to Hyrule’s newest heroes.
Following last week’s official casting announcement from Nintendo, fans flocked to Google to learn more about Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, the fresh-faced stars set to portray Princess Zelda and Link. Unlike the star-studded cast of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Bragason and Ainsworth are rising talents—meaning even diehard Zelda fans may not have recognized them at first.
But try typing either actor’s name into Google now, and you’ll be treated to a little something extra.
Search for Bo Bragason, and the phrase “Excuse me, Princess” bounces playfully at the top of the screen—complete with a cheeky female elf emoji. It’s a clear nod to the cult-favorite animated Zelda series from the late ‘80s, where that sarcastic catchphrase became Link’s most infamous line.
Look up Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, and you’ll be greeted with a triumphant “KYAAA! HYAAAAA!” plus a male elf emoji—an unmistakable reference to Link’s signature battle cries from nearly every Zelda title, from Ocarina of Time to Tears of the Kingdom.
These fun little flourishes aren’t Google’s first foray into pop culture Easter eggs. Earlier this month, the search giant tipped its hat to Oasis fans by tweaking search suggestions for phrases like “Oasis tour” to return “Did you mean: Madferit?” And Lewis Capaldi fans might recall the “Welcome back Lewis – Someone we love” message that briefly appeared in his honor.
But for Zelda fans, this might be the most exciting one yet.
While Nintendo has yet to share any major plot details or even the setting of the live-action film, director Wes Ball has confirmed he wants the movie to feel “grounded” and “real,” with minimal motion capture and a strong cinematic atmosphere. As of now, the film is still aiming for a theatrical release within the next two years.
Until then, it’s a great time to dive into the past work of Bragason and Ainsworth—especially now that Google has added a bit of Hyrule flair to the search experience.
Want to know where else you might’ve seen the new Link and Zelda? Check out our [actor spotlight feature] on both stars, only on Zelda Central.
