RUMOR: Hunter Schafer Will Not Play ZELDA, But Is Being Eyed For A Marvel Studios Role

RUMOR: Hunter Schafer Will Not Play ZELDA, But Is Being Eyed For A Marvel Studios Role

If a new rumor is to believed, Hunter Schafer will not play Zelda in the planned live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, but is in line for an undisclosed MCU role...

By MarkCassidy - Jun 06, 2025 09:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Marvel Studios

Last month, a rumor did the rounds online that Hunter Schafer was being eyed for the title role of Zelda in the live-action Legend of Zelda movie that is currently in the works from Nintendo and Sony Pictures. We're not sure if the Euphoria star was ever actually in talks, but it doesn't look like she will be playing the magical Princess of Hyrule.

MTTSH is just one of several scoopers who are now claiming that Schafer is not attached to this project - but that doesn't mean we won't see her suit-up as a different iconic character in another franchise down the line.

Apparently, Schafer is being "eyed for a big Marvel role." This isn't the first time we've heard this, as a previous rumor claimed that Marvel Studios was looking at the actress for the role of Mystique in the X-Men reboot. While this may still be the case, it sounds like this might be another character entirely.

Schafer responded to the Mystique chatter while being interviewed on the red carpet of the SAG Awards back in February.

"I did see [the fan casts]! My dad texted me about that, yeah. Yeah, that would be cool. These fan casts come around every once in a while and it's always very sweet and always for characters that I really like."

Schafer has become a highly sought-after talent since her breakout role in Euphoria, so we wouldn't be at all surprised if she has taken a meeting with Marvel along with other major studios. Whether anything will come of it obviously remains to be seen, but if Marvel does want Schafer for Mystique or another X-Men role, we may find out fairly soon.

We recently got word that Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier is in line to helm the reboot (though this has yet to be made official), and The Hot Mic's Jeff Sneider has heard that casting will get underway shortly.

In addition to Schafer, the likes of Harris Dickinson, Margaret Qualley, and Julia Butters are said to be on the studio's radar (they were reportedly in contention to play Cyclops, Rogue and Kitty Pryde, but we don't know if this is still the case), along with Alien: Romulus star David Jonsson and Trinity Bliss, who may be in line to play Jubilee.

Other names that have popped up in the rumor mill include Ayo Edebiri (Storm) and Javier Bardem (Mr. Sinister). 

Here's what Kevin Feige had to say about his "10-year plan" for the Mutant Saga in a recent interview.

"I think you will see that continues in our next few movies with some X-Men players that you might recognize. Right after that, the whole story of Secret Wars really leads us into a new age of mutants and of the X-Men. Again, [it’s] one of those dreams come true. We finally have the X-Men back."

Macbeth (2015), The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) and Assassin's Creed (2016) scribe Michael Lesslie penned the script, but we wouldn't be surprised if another writer (or two) were brought in to give it another pass before the movie enters production.

No release date has been set.

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ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 6/6/2025, 9:08 AM
in b4 the comments are turned off.
Antitrollpatrol
Antitrollpatrol - 6/6/2025, 9:42 AM
@ObserverIO - it's inevitable. All I will say is that the role of mystique given her powers is perfect for someone that is transgendered to play. Not saying they can't play other roles but the source material lends itself to effective storytelling for that character that is also reflective of the transgendered population.
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 6/6/2025, 9:58 AM
@ObserverIO - It ain't a Josh article though lol
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/6/2025, 9:10 AM
I've always said that if an actor/actress can look the part and act the part then I'm good with it. I'm not a fan of race and gender swapping the character. If Hunter can play Mystique and be a convincing female character then I'm all for it.

What annoys me is when the character's race or gender is swapped.
RedFury
RedFury - 6/6/2025, 9:20 AM
@CorndogBurglar - this is a great and level headed comment.

Acting is just that, acting. So if someone can pull off a role, look the part, and convince the audience with their performance - at the end of the day that's all that matters.

And mystique is actually a perfect character for a transgendered person to play when you think about it. They have real life experience knowing what it feels like living in a body that doesn't feel like their own. I can only imagine that life experience would come in hand when playing a shape shifter on screen.
Fogs
Fogs - 6/6/2025, 9:44 AM
@CorndogBurglar - yeap. That's like Cate Blanchet playing Bob Dylan. Don't see the problem as well. Would bother if the appearance took me off the film, if too forced.

I'm gonna be honest and didn't even knew the actor when I saw the Zelda Article. Was pretty sure it was about a biological woman before reading it.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 6/6/2025, 12:10 PM
@RedFury - And dont get me wrong, I absolutely cant stand race and gender swaps. But it has nothing to do with the actors themselves. Its all about the characters looking the way I've known them to look for over 40 years.

If. German actor can play a convincing American, cool. If a transgender born as a male can play a convincing female, cool.

Just dont change the characters. The characters are, and SHOULD always be bigger than the actors playing them.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 6/6/2025, 12:56 PM
@CorndogBurglar - There are ample reasons why a trans actor who looks the part would make a ton of sense for a character like Mystique. Especialy so if going with the idea she was the FATHER of Nightcrawler with Destiny the mother (rather tha mother with Kurt Wagner the Father) thus could be seen in a 'natural' male form as well as mostly her transwoman form rather than ONLY mimicking others (which will always be played by the actor she is taking the form of).

I KNOW many wouldn't like it but the deeper understanding of identity issues for a metamorph who can switch sex realy fits well into the wheelhouse of trans actors even if not a required thing if a cisgender woman has the acting chops for it.
MarvelousMarty
MarvelousMarty - 6/6/2025, 9:12 AM
Saw her in Cuckoo and thought she was great, had no idea she was trans until I saw it on here.
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 6/6/2025, 9:24 AM
@MarvelousMarty - User Comment Image
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 6/6/2025, 12:59 PM
@MarvelousMarty - First time I saw her in a role had no clue she was trans either and I tend to be better than most at picking up such things.
Matchesz
Matchesz - 6/6/2025, 9:15 AM
If they want to race bend and gender swap and someone disney worked with already then we want Lizzo as the Blob
ProfessorWhy
ProfessorWhy - 6/6/2025, 9:18 AM
@Matchesz - you can be Happy Jack
foreverintheway
foreverintheway - 6/6/2025, 9:32 AM
@ProfessorWhy - Simple Jack**
ProfessorWhy
ProfessorWhy - 6/6/2025, 9:35 AM
@foreverintheway - you're right, I got him confused with the similar, titular character of The Who's " Happy Jack "
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 6/6/2025, 9:17 AM
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Order66
Order66 - 6/6/2025, 9:19 AM
Oh boy…
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 6/6/2025, 9:20 AM
Hunter has proven themselves to be a talented actor. Hunter might be the most naturally looking elvish person and I think could do well in the role.

Of course people would lose their mind but that's half of the fun
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 6/6/2025, 9:24 AM
@Wahhvacado - Anya Taylor Joy would've been my choice. She looks like a real life elf, or some fantasy character. She has an other worldly look to her.
Wahhvacado
Wahhvacado - 6/6/2025, 9:56 AM
@DarthOmega - Great casting as well. Personally I can see both in the role but Anya is probably the safer bet if they are looking for box office success
DarthAlgar
DarthAlgar - 6/6/2025, 9:58 AM
@DarthOmega - Ohh, that's a good one. Playing two Nintendo Princesses would be pretty sweet.
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 6/6/2025, 1:40 PM
@DarthAlgar - Whoa I totally forgot she was Peach
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 6/6/2025, 9:21 AM
User Comment Image
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 6/6/2025, 9:21 AM
User Comment Image
MisterBones
MisterBones - 6/6/2025, 9:21 AM
Comments being turned off in 3...2...1...
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 6/6/2025, 9:22 AM
Look, I'm not for swapping. It's done for the wrong reasons and pretty much always seems hollow. But if there was a character who could be played by a trans person, it's probably Mystique
V
V - 6/6/2025, 9:23 AM
Should play both Zelda and Link that would be great casting
UltimaRex
UltimaRex - 6/6/2025, 9:26 AM
Still, I would like to see how she works with Elliot Page's Wolverine...
Antitrollpatrol
Antitrollpatrol - 6/6/2025, 9:44 AM
@UltimaRex - Elliot would be an interesting morph.
Latverian
Latverian - 6/6/2025, 9:26 AM
So much for best live-action Sheik...

User Comment Image
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 6/6/2025, 10:05 AM
@Latverian - Didn't think about Sheik, that would have indeed worked very well.
Ryguy88
Ryguy88 - 6/6/2025, 9:29 AM
User Comment Image
gambgel
gambgel - 6/6/2025, 9:29 AM
this is old news.

the same source who said she was eyed for Mystique is the same source of this "scoop"........ so posting all stuff months later?
theFUZZ008
theFUZZ008 - 6/6/2025, 9:32 AM
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Chaos200
Chaos200 - 6/6/2025, 9:34 AM
No shit Nintendo would never.

Maybe they should cast her as Poison in the upcoming street fighter movie.
DarthAlgar
DarthAlgar - 6/6/2025, 10:00 AM
@Chaos200 - Doesn't have the body for it.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 6/6/2025, 9:49 AM
They're a great actor. I have no problem with them being in a Marvel movie. This is just more rage bait for the sad sacks of this world
bobevanz
bobevanz - 6/6/2025, 9:52 AM
So where's you know who? He should be all over this article. Maybe the mods finally used the ban hammer? Oh to dream
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 6/6/2025, 9:53 AM
I was thinking Link at most... Link is the prettiest dude in videogames...
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