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Summary
The live-actionLegend of Zeldamovie 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 themassive box office success ofThe Super Mario Bros. Movie,Nintendo officially greenlit the live-action adaptation ofThe Legend of Zeldain 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.
Release Date
June 03, 2025
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-oldEuphoriaactress asthe 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 announcedtheLegend of Zeldamovieback in November 2023 withKingdom of the Planet of the ApesandThe Maze Runnertrilogy director Wes Ball set to helm the project. The film now has an official release date: June 09, 2025, just a year after the sequel toThe Super Mario Bros. Moviehits 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
TheEuphoriaActress Is A LongtimeZeldaFan
Thesupport for Hunter Schaferas 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 promotingThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesin London back in November 2023, she acknowledged that she’s aware of the fan-casting buzz.Speaking toVariety, 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 2022Vanity FairOscars 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 forthe upcomingLegend of Zeldamovie.
What Is Hunter Schafer Famous For?
Live-ActionZeldaFits Perfectly Into Her Filmography
Hunter Schafer may have debuted just a few years ago inEuphoria, but she’s already built an impressive résumé. Beyond the HBO hit series, the actress proved her acting range in the 2024 horror filmCuckoo, where she played the lead role of a grieving teenager. On the big-budget front, Schafer portrayed Tigris Snow in 2023’sThe Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Up next, she’s set to star as Cora in Amazon’s highly anticipatedBlade Runner 2099series. A live-actionZeldamovie 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 whichZeldagame the filmmakers decide to adapt, as someone like Schafer seems especially well-suited for the more regal and somber version ofZelda seen inTwilight Princess. That said, there are other solid picks for Zelda as well, including Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan andThe Witcherstar Freya Allan.
More Details On Nintendo’s Live-ActionLegend Of ZeldaMovie
There are also rumors circulating that Nintendo plans to develop the live-actionLegend of Zeldamovie 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 sinceThe Legend of Zeldawould look incredible ina style similar to that of Studio Ghibli.
So far, there’s no official word on casting or whichLegend of Zeldagame 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 fromTears 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.
