The live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda may be lining up a popular fan pick for the role of Princess Zelda, with reports suggesting that Euphoria star Hunter Schafer is being considered for the part.
Nintendo first confirmed in 2023 that it would be collaborating with Sony Pictures to bring its long-running fantasy video game franchise to the big screen. The film is currently scheduled for release on 26 March 2027.
Following the announcement, fans widely advocated for Schafer to be cast as Zelda, citing her strong resemblance to the Hylian princess. Schafer, 25, has also expressed interest in taking on the role. In a 2023 interview with Entertainment Tonight, she said: “I played that video game a bunch when I was a kid. That’s such a good game,” adding that appearing in the adaptation would be “so cool”.
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While no official casting decisions have been confirmed by Nintendo or Sony, entertainment insider Daniel Richtman recently claimed on social media that Schafer is indeed being considered for the role of Zelda. Schafer’s representatives have yet to comment on the reports.
The Legend of Zelda, created by game developers Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, was first released in Japan in 1986 for the Famicom Disk System. Set in the fictional land of Hyrule, the game follows Princess Zelda and a young warrior named Link as they embark on adventures to protect their kingdom.
Since its debut, the franchise has expanded into multiple acclaimed titles, including Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom. It is widely considered one of the most influential series in gaming history.
The upcoming film will be directed by Wes Ball, best known for his work on The Maze Runner trilogy and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Miyamoto will co-produce the project alongside veteran film producer Avi Arad.
In a statement shared when the film was announced, Miyamoto said, “I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san… We have now officially started the development of the film with Nintendo itself heavily involved in the production.”
