The Live-Action Legend Of Zelda Movie Has Only One Right…

Summary

Hunter Schafer is a top choice for Princess Zelda due to fan support and her openness to the role.
The Legend of Zelda movie is set to release on March 26, 2027, with director Wes Ball at the helm.
Casting for the live-action adaptation remains a mystery, but fans favor Schafer as Zelda due to her resemblance and acting skills.

The live-action Legend of Zelda movie is officially happening, and that brings a big question back to the table: who should play Princess Zelda? Nintendo has locked in a release date and director, but the cast remains a mystery, especially the choice for the iconic princess.

Following the massive box office success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo officially greenlit the live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda in late 2023. Since then, fans have been buzzing non-stop. With Link and Zelda at the heart of the franchise, casting the right actors is going to make or break this adaptation. Maybe this time, the producers should trust the fans because this casting idea might be too good to pass up.

Euphoria Star Hunter Schafer Reacts to Zelda Fan Casting

Euphoria star Hunter Schafer comments on a viral fan casting that suggested she should play Zelda in a Legend of Zelda adaptation.

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By Dalton Cooper

Hunter Schafer Is Perfect For A Live-Action Zelda

Nintendo Should Listen To This Fan Casting Idea

Hunter Schafer Legend Of Zelda Movie Fan Casting Reaction

Film	Untitled Legend of Zelda movie
Director	Wes Ball
Writer	Derek Connolly
Producers	Shigeru Miyamoto Avi Arad
Release Date	March 26, 2027

Hunter Schafer has been the definitive fan-favorite for Princess Zelda, even before Nintendo confirmed a live-action movie was in the works. Zelda’s character design and some of Schafer’s real-life appearances (especially her red carpet looks) often draw comparisons on social media. Fans of the action-adventure game would have most likely come across some custom art, imagining the 26-year-old Euphoria actress as the brave Nintendo princess. If the filmmakers really are keeping an eye on the fandom, they would surely know that Hunter Schafer as Princess Zelda is the most talked-about choice out there.

Nintendo announced the Legend of Zelda movie back in November 2023 with Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and The Maze Runner trilogy director Wes Ball set to helm the project. The film now has an official release date: March 26, 2027, just a year after the sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie hits theaters. While casting hasn’t been confirmed, Hunter Schafer’s name continues to stand out from the rest. Many point to her obvious resemblance to Zelda and her almost-mythical presence as reasons why she feels like a natural fit for the role.

Why Hunter Schafer Should Play The Nintendo Princess

The Euphoria Actress Is A Longtime Zelda Fan

The support for Hunter Schafer as Princess Zelda isn’t one-sided, as she’s on board too. Schafer has mentioned more than once that she’d be open to playing Zelda in a live-action movie. While promoting The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in London back in November 2023, she acknowledged that she’s aware of the fan-casting buzz. Speaking to Variety, she said:

That would be so cool. I love the game, personally. I played it as a kid and I still play it now. Who knows! That would be pretty cool.

Most of the fan calls for Hunter Schafer to play Zelda gained traction after her 2022 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party look. Her hair, in particular, was styled almost identically to that of the princess from the Nintendo games. As a result, a wave of fan petitions emerged online, with some receiving hundreds of thousands of approvals. Considering the resemblances, Schafer’s openness to the role, and the overwhelming fan support, this casting idea feels like a no-brainer for the upcoming Legend of Zelda movie.

What Is Hunter Schafer Famous For?

Live-Action Zelda Fits Perfectly Into Her Filmography

Hunter Schafer may have debuted just a few years ago in Euphoria, but she’s already built an impressive résumé. Beyond the HBO hit series, the actress proved her acting range in the 2024 horror film Cuckoo, where she played the lead role of a grieving teenager. On the big-budget front, Schafer portrayed Tigris Snow in 2023’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Up next, she’s set to star as Cora in Amazon’s highly anticipated Blade Runner 2099 series. A live-action Zelda movie would fit perfectly into her growing portfolio.

Whether or not Hunter Schafer lands the role, the final casting choice will also depend on who plays Link and how well the two leads connect on screen. Another important factor is which Zelda game the filmmakers decide to adapt, as someone like Schafer seems especially well-suited for the more regal and somber version of Zelda seen in Twilight Princess. That said, there are other solid picks for Zelda as well, including Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan and The Witcher star Freya Allan.

More Details On Nintendo’s Live-Action Legend Of Zelda Movie

A screenshot of Link holding a glowing Master Sword in a forest in The Legend of Zelda.

There are also rumors circulating that Nintendo plans to develop the live-action Legend of Zelda movie as a full-fledged trilogy. If that’s true, the studio will need actors who are committed for the long haul. There are also some skepticism over the adaptation and its creative direction. Some fans are still wondering why Nintendo chose live-action over animation, especially since The Legend of Zelda would look incredible in a style similar to that of Studio Ghibli.

So far, there’s no official word on casting or which Legend of Zelda game the live-action movie will adapt. But fans can likely expect the usual trio — Link, Zelda, and Ganon — to play major roles. Whether it pulls from Tears of the Kingdom, Breath of the Wild, or something entirely new, the core elements of the franchise are too iconic to leave out. With so much lore to explore and a trilogy potentially in the works, Nintendo has the chance to bring Hyrule to life in a way fans have never seen before.

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