The upcoming Legend of Zelda live-action movie is still shrouded in mystery, but that hasn’t stopped the internet from buzzing over one of its first major rumors surrounding who might play the iconic Princess Zelda. Hunter Schafer, best known for her role in Euphoria, is reportedly being eyed for the role. While there has been no official word from Nintendo, Sony, or Schafer herself, the speculation has already sparked a wave of reactions across the internet, with some being supportive and others not so much.
The film, co-produced by Nintendo and Sony Pictures, was first announced in 2023 with Maze Runner director Wes Ball attached. Longtime Zelda producer Shigeru Miyamoto and Spider-Man producer Avi Arad are also on board, with a release date locked in for March 26, 2027. So far, no casting has been officially confirmed, but Schafer’s name resurfaced online after leaker DanielRPK mentioned her as a potential lead. The rumor was picked up by @Screentime on X, and the post has since racked up nearly 80 million views. Check it out down below:
Much of the conversation quickly turned polarizing. While many fans praised Schafer as a perfect fit for the role, citing her look and acting chops, others responded with transphobic backlash, questioning her suitability simply because she’s a transgender actress. Comments such as “Zelda is a girl. Link is the guy,” and “Another flop in the making” have littered the discourse.
On the other hand, many fans have spoken up in strong support of Schafer, citing her striking resemblance to the character, acting talent, and passion for the Zelda franchise. “She looks the part more than anyone I can think of,” one user wrote. Another commented, “She has both the look and the skill.” Others called Schafer an inspired choice, pointing out her past comments about being a Zelda fan and her openness to playing the role.
Schafer previously addressed the fan casting back in 2022, saying she’d "love" to play Zelda. "That would be so cool,” she told Entertainment Tonight, recalling how she used to play the games as a kid. "I’ve seen another wave of the fan cast and everything, which is just really sweet. I’m honored that they even think of me for that.”
Of course, Schafer isn’t the only name being thrown around. Fans have also mentioned Anya Taylor-Joy and Sydney Sweeney, and fake trailers featuring actors like Tom Holland as Link have added even more confusion to the mix.
At the end of the day, there’s still no official word on casting. But if this early speculation is any indication, whoever ends up playing Zelda is going to have some big expectations and some strong opinions to navigate and deal with.
What are your thoughts on the controversy? Who do you think should be cast as Zelda? Let us know your pick in the comments down below!