A Trans Zelda? Hunter Schafer Casting Rumor Sparks Queer Joy Across the Internet
Call your Kokiri cousins and blow the Ocarina of Time, because the internet just exploded with Triforce-sized hype. In what may go down as one of the most deliciously nerdy casting rumors of the decade, Hunter Schafer the ethereal, otherworldly star of Euphoria, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and the upcoming Blade Runner 2099 series is reportedly being eyed to play Princess Zelda in the long-awaited Legend of Zelda live-action film.
That's right. The rumored casting was dropped by industry insider Daniel Richtman, and while he's been a bit of a Gossip Stone in the past (some hits, some misses), this time? Fans are hoping it's the real deal. The rumor was first spotlighted by Screen Time, and now every enchanted bottle in the fandom is rattling with excitement.
Within minutes of the rumor hitting social media, Twitter turned into Hyrule Town Square. The people did not just react. They transformed into sages of validation.
'She looks just like Zelda that's actually perfect,' one fan tweeted, probably while clutching their Master Sword in joy.
'I swear to God if they cast a man as princess Zelda I will riot,' another declared, invoking the wrath of Din herself.
'Literally the most perfect candidate but they won't want her to play Zelda,' lamented a prophet of fan-casting history.
'Please lord almighty I hate the idea of live action Zelda but she would actually save the movie,' one fan admitted with honesty we rarely see on the timeline.
'I do not care what a bunch of phobic assholes have to say, she literally looks like Zelda and would be perfect,' wrote another, defending their queen like a true member of the Sheikah tribe.
'The comments are making me so mad she literally is Zelda. Like she looks exactly like I'd imagine Zelda looking IRL,' someone else echoed, probably shouting it at the Moon.
'If Zelda is played by a trans woman, I will be so, so happy,' said another tweet that's now being embroidered on tunics across the fandom.
Hunter Schafer as Zelda didn't spawn from a random Cucco attack. It's been building. Fans have been dreaming of this match-up since 2022, long before the live-action movie was confirmed. In fact, Schafer herself caught wind of the fan-casting and responded with the purest, nerdiest love.
'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,' she said, giving the fandom the green light to completely lose their minds.
In 2024, Schafer was featured in a Vogue photoshoot casually holding a Nintendo Switch like it was a royal artifact. Coincidence? The Zelda stans didn't think so. It became another breadcrumb in the Schafer-as-Zelda prophecy.
Let's not forget. Nintendo officially confirmed the Legend of Zelda live-action movie in 2023 in collaboration with Sony Pictures. It is being produced by Avi Arad, the man behind the Spider-Man and Uncharted movies, and it is already facing massive pressure to get casting right.
No official casting announcements have been made yet, but we know that the studio is reportedly seeking a younger actor for Link, with Walker Scobell (of The Adam Project and Percy Jackson) being the type they are circling like a Poe in a graveyard. Meanwhile, Tom Holland's name remains on everyone's lips for reasons that defy logic, gravity, and possibly good taste.
But Schafer as Zelda? This is a casting that makes sense both narratively and visually. She's got the ethereal beauty, the royal poise, and the kind of quiet magical energy that makes you believe she could literally shatter a Moblin with one glance.
Let's not kid ourselves. Hunter Schafer has range. She's already brought nuance and mysticism to roles in Euphoria and Hunger Games. And with the Blade Runner universe on her horizon, she's proving she can handle high-concept genre storytelling with ease.
The idea of her playing Zelda, a character who has juggled princesshood, wisdom, combat, reincarnation, and secret Sheik alter-egos, is not just a perfect fit. It's a natural evolution of her career.
Twitter, sorry, X, is currently glowing like the Sacred Realm with queer joy. The idea of Schafer, a trans woman, stepping into the royal boots of Zelda isn't just progressive. It feels right. It's in keeping with the androgynous beauty of the series itself.
One fan posted what might be the truest words ever typed:
'Just like the games, Link is gonna look more feminine than Zelda. 10/10 casting.'
Others echoed a clear truth. If Schafer doesn't get cast, the backlash will be real.
'NO WAY…I would love if she played Zelda but know how toxic this world is she won't be cast,' another wrote, touching on the bitter reality of trans representation in mainstream Hollywood.
'She's been my pick for Zelda for years. I really hope this is true and she gets to be casted!' declared one final fan, summing up the entire fandom's collective hope.
The casting of Princess Zelda in live-action is not just a geeky decision. It's a cultural one. And with Schafer, Nintendo and Sony have the chance to not only please their loyal fans, but make history.
She's not a token. She's not a 'statement.' She's just the most logical and most exciting choice for a character that has meant so much to generations of gamers, especially queer ones.
Until the Master Sword drops and official casting is announced, we'll be here, in our Deku Tree-decorated bunkers, waiting, dreaming, refreshing timelines, and praying to Nayru.
Because honestly? She is Zelda.
The post A Trans Zelda? Hunter Schafer Casting Rumor Sparks Queer Joy Across the Internet appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A video of progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, reacting live at a rally to the news that President Donald Trump had carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites has gone viral on social media. Sanders posted the clip from his "Fight Oligarchy" tour on X, formerly Twitter, late on Saturday. "I learned about Trump's unconstitutional attack on Iran at a large rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here is the response," the senator, who caucuses with Democrats, wrote. As of the time of writing on Sunday afternoon, the video has been viewed more than 5 million times. It has been reposted by 20,000 X users and liked by 101,000. Why It Matters The progressive lawmaker's response came after the U.S. carried out attacks targeting three nuclear sites across Iran—at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump described the operation as a "very successful attack" and has now called for "peace," while Iran has said it will retaliate. Trump's decision came after Israel and Iran have exchanged consistent strikes since June 13. Israel had urged the U.S. to target Iran's nuclear facilities, saying that Tehran was moving close to creating a nuclear weapon. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for civilian, not military, purposes. The strikes have sparked concerns from some Democrats and some Republicans about a wider war breaking out—with some lawmakers accusing the president of violating the U.S. Constitution with the strikes. Smoke rises as a location targeted by Israel is ablaze in Tehran amid the third day of Israel's waves of strikes against Iran on June 15. Inset: Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, is seen... Smoke rises as a location targeted by Israel is ablaze in Tehran amid the third day of Israel's waves of strikes against Iran on June 15. Inset: Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, is seen on May 14 in Washington, D.C. More Khoshiran/Middle East Images via AFP/What to Know In the 1-minute and 13-second clip, Sanders reads Trump's statement on the Iran strikes to the crowd of rally attendees. Immediately, a loud chorus of boos can be heard from the crowd, demonstrating the attendees' displeasure with the news. The crowd then begins to chant "no more war," with Sanders nodding in agreement. The camera pans out, showing the animated audience raising their fists in the air as they chant, with an American flag visible and being waved by at least one rally goer. "I agree," the senator eventually responds, after allowing the chorus of chants to continue for several seconds. "And I want to tell you something, not only is this news, that I've just is so grossly unconstitutional," he said. "All of you know that the only entity that can take this country to war is the U.S. Congress. The president does not have the right," Sanders said. His remarks drew a large cheer from the crowd. Last week, in anticipation of a strike on Iran, Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, and Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, introduced a War Powers Resolution in a bid to curb the president from escalating the conflict with Iran. After the attack was announced, Massie was quick to respond on X, writing on Saturday: "This is not constitutional." I learned about Trump's unconstitutional attack on Iran at a large rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here is the response: — Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 22, 2025 What To Know About U.S. Bombing Iran The U.S. struck Fordow, roughly 60 miles south of Tehran, as well as the Natanz complex to the southeast and Isfahan, southwest of Natanz, Trump said. The president hailed the attacks as a "spectacular military success," adding: "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated." Experts said it was too early to tell exactly how much damage has been done to Iran's network of nuclear sites. U.S. Air Force General Dan Caine, the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, said on Sunday morning that initial assessments of the operation dubbed "Midnight Hammer" indicated "all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction," but analysis was ongoing. Israel continued attacking Iran into Sunday, and Tehran launched fresh strikes on several Israeli cities. Ash from airstrikes covers much of the area, and several of the entrances to Fordow's tunnel network appear to be blocked with dirt, Maxar, an American space technology company, said. Images separately published by Planet Labs on Sunday also showed ash covering the area around Fordow. Fordow is built under a mountain, a facility that was secret until 2009 and Israel has been unable to destroy it with its weapons. While Israel has carried out strikes on Iran's nuclear sites—including Natanz and Isfahan—since it started its campaign over a week ago, the U.S. is considered the only country able to reach the deeply buried sites like Fordow using B-2 bombers and "bunker buster" bombs. These huge bombs had never been used before in combat. What People Are Saying Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat said in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Sunday: "Stopping Iran from having a nuclear bomb is a top priority, but dragging the U.S. into another Middle East war is not the solution. Trump's strikes are unconstitutional and put Americans, especially our troops, at risk. Congress needs to come back to DC immediately to vote on Rep. Thomas Massie and my bipartisan War Powers Resolution to ensure there is no further conflict and escalation." President Donald Trump on Truth Social on Saturday evening: "ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT. THANK YOU!" Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on X on Sunday: "The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations. The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people." Vice President JD Vance to NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday: "We're not at war with Iran. We're at war with Iran's nuclear operation was really extraordinary. These guys flew from Missouri. They didn't land a single time. They dropped 30,000-pound bombs on a target the size of a washing machine and then got back home safely without ever landing in the Middle East or ever stopping other than to briefly refuel." Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, on X on Sunday: "When two countries are bombing each other daily in a hot war, and a third country joins the bombing, that's an act of war. I'm amazed at the mental gymnastics being undertaken by neocons in DC (and their social media bots) to say we aren't at war... so they can make war." What Happens Next? Iran's foreign minister said after the attack that his country reserves "all options to defend its sovereignty." The U.S. military is preemptively preparing for any attack from Tehran in response. It's unclear whether the War Powers Resolution sponsored by Khanna and Massie, which aims to curb Trump's ability to take military action against Iran, has the support to move forward in the House. However, with Republican control of both chambers, it is not widely expected to succeed.
