The kingdom of Hyrule may soon have its royal face. According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by an industry insider and writer, Daniel Richtman, who goes by @DanielRPK, Euphoria star Hunter Schafer is currently being eyed to play Princess Zelda in the upcoming live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda.
Though no official casting announcements have been made, Richtman reports that Schafer is a popular choice among both fans and producers. Thanks mainly to her uncanny resemblance to the video game icon and her proven range!
Schafer herself hasn’t dismissed the idea. “That would be so cool,” she told Entertainment Tonight in 2023, adding, “I’m honored that [fans] even think of me for that.”
With her standout roles in Euphoria, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and the horror film Cuckoo, Schafer has proven she can carry both drama and fantasy. These qualities are essential for Hyrule’s beloved princess.
Why the Hunter Schafer as Zelda Rumor Tracks
Schafer’s casting is not a publicity gimmick. It’s a move supported by strategic and creative sensibility. Schafer’s emotional intelligence and presence are ideal for representing Zelda in Legend of Zelda.
It is important to note that her character might be a wise ruler or a courageous Sheikah fighter, depending on the game.
This early support of Schafer by the fandom reflects the fan-driven casting momentum noted in other adaptations, like The Last of Us.
It also doesn’t hurt that Hunter Schafer is no stranger to big franchises, as her rise to fame has been Euphoria. Also, her portrayal of Tigris Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes proved she could thrive in a stylized, high-stakes world.
Now, with director Wes Ball (Maze Runner, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) at the helm and Nintendo co-producing with Sony Pictures, Schafer could be stepping into her most ambitious universe yet.
The Legend of Zelda movie is set to release on March 26, 2027, confirmed Variety.
What we also know is that the movie will be written by Derek Connolly (Jurassic World). Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Zelda, is co-producing with Avi Arad, under Nintendo’s heavy involvement.
Fan Casting For The Legend of Zelda Movie Heats Up
While Schafer’s name trends for Zelda, fans also have strong opinions about Link. Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) is a frequent fan pick, cited by Young Hollywood for his youthful charisma and proven fantasy credentials.
Scobell himself addressed the speculation with Variety last year, saying, “I don’t know if I’d be interested in playing Link (…), [but] I’d definitely consider it, 100%.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the fan cast is shaping up into a dream team: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Ganon, June Squibb as Impa, and Danny DeVito as the Old Man. While these remain speculative, they reflect just how much excitement is building around what could be gaming’s next cinematic event.
And let’s not forget: Wes Ball has teased a Studio Ghibli-inspired aesthetic for the Legend of Zelda film, per IMDb.
With Legend of Zelda still in development and casting under wraps, the next few months will be crucial. Will Schafer officially take the crown?
