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Hunter Schafer Rumored for Iconic Role Fans Have Dreamed About for Years

The ‘Euphoria’ actress could star in this highly anticipated video game adaptation.

Natalie Zamora

Hunter Schafer
Hunter Schafer / Chad Salvador/WWD/Getty Images

Since landing her breakout role in HBO’s Euphoria and rising to fame, fans have been quick to draw comparisons between Hunter Schafer and a beloved video game character: Princess Zelda from The Legend of Zelda. The long-running series has remained near and dear to gamers’ hearts, so much so that when a live-action adaptation was announced, all they could do was start making their fan-casts.

The latest update we’ve gotten about The Legend of Zelda adaptation is that it’s set to hit theaters in March 2027, co-produced by Sony Pictures and Nintendo. And while the release window is undeniably exciting, fans are still waiting in anticipation to hear who might be cast in the lead roles. Apart from the protagonist Link, Princess Zelda is an integral character to the storylines of the video game series, and a particular favorite for many.

Hunter Schafer could really be playing Zelda

As reported by CBR, a semi-update has been shared this week as entertainment scooper Daniel Richtman, who has become a trusted insider over the years, shares that Schafer is “being eyed” for the part of Zelda. No other details have been disclosed, but that hasn’t stopped fans from obsessing over the possibility.

Apart from the initial excitement over the rumor, fans of The Legend of Zelda have shared their opinions on the potential casting, with most in agreement that Schafer would be the perfect fit.

“Good lord she looks the part more than anyone I can think of,” one user on X wrote.

“No brainer casting imo, she would kill it,” another added.

“Considering the majority of the fandom wants her as Zelda and she looks like the character...it would be dumb if they didn’t cast her,” a third user wrote.

Zelda fans would also be happy to know that Schafer has played the game—and she seems down to costar in the film. “That would be so cool,” she said when responding to fan-castings in 2023. “I love the game, personally. I played it as a kid and I still play it now. Who knows! That would be pretty cool.”

Since the first season of Euphoria, Schafer has also found success on the big screen, appearing in the 2023 Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Yorgos Lanthimos’s 2024 dramedy Kinds of Kindness. Also in 2024, Schafer starred in the Neon horror film Cuckoo. She will return to Euphoria for the long-awaited third season, expected out in 2026.

At this time, no official castings for The Legend of Zelda have been made, but we’d find it surprising if Sony and Nintendo weren’t at least considering Schafer for the role. At this time, Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) is still attached to direct the adaptation.

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Natalie Zamora
NATALIE ZAMORA

Natalie Zamora is a leader in the digital media space who specializes in entertainment and lifestyle topics. After graduating from Rutgers University, where she majored in English and minored in Cinema Studies, she currently works as the VP of Entertainment Content, FanSided/SI Swimsuit at Minute Media. In addition to SI Swimsuit, her work can also be found on sites such as Winter is Coming, Mental Floss, and more. With a deep passion for pop culture, Natalie has her finger on the pulse of trending topics and loves to keep up with her favorite celebrities.