Valkyrae Reportedly Cut from ‘Minecraft’ Movie After Speaking Out Against Jason Momoa’s On-Set Behavior

Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter, one of YouTube’s most celebrated streamers and a trailblazer for women in gaming, has reportedly been removed from the upcoming Minecraft movie after previously confirming a cameo appearance. The news has left many fans disappointed and confused, especially in light of speculation that her removal may be linked to critical comments she made about lead actor Jason Momoa‘s behavior during filming.

Valkyrae first announced her cameo in a livestream last year, expressing excitement about participating in the film adaptation of one of the most iconic video games in history.

But during a September 2024 podcast interview with fellow YouTuber JasonTheWeen, she revealed that things behind the scenes were not as wholesome as fans might have hoped.

Valkyrae Alleges Poor On-Set Treatment by Jason Momoa

In the now widely-shared interview, Valkyrae opened up about a troubling encounter on set. After shooting a high-energy scene, she claimed that Jason Momoa became visibly angry and allegedly berated several crew members.

“I just saw him mistreat some of the crew, and it was pretty disappointing,” she said solemnly. “He was yelling and seemed really mad about how long something was taking. It kind of changed the vibe completely.”

Her comments struck a chord with fans and raised serious concerns about the working environment on the film’s set. Many praised her for speaking out, especially considering the culture of silence that often exists around celebrity behavior in Hollywood. But not long after these remarks surfaced, Valkyrae quietly revealed during a follow-up stream that her cameo had been cut with no official explanation provided by the production.

Silence from the Studio Fuels Speculation

The producers of Minecraft have remained silent on the matter, declining to issue a public statement regarding Valkyrae’s removal or address the allegations of unprofessionalism on set. This silence has only intensified speculation that her exclusion from the final cut may be retaliatory, a decision made to protect the film’s leading star or preserve its promotional image ahead of its April 5, 2025 release.

Social media erupted in reaction to the news, with the hashtag #JusticeForValkyrae trending on X (formerly Twitter). Fans have called the situation “heartbreaking” and “unfair,” demanding transparency from the film’s creators.

Jason Momoa’s History of Controversial Set Behavior

This isn’t the first time Jason Momoa has been accused of inappropriate conduct on set. Reports from the production of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom included claims that he arrived intoxicated on set and even dressed up as Johnny Depp, a move many found deeply disrespectful given the film’s connection to co-star Amber Heard. At the time, DC officials pushed back on the claims, asserting that Momoa had remained professional.

Now, with Valkyrae’s claims resurfacing similar concerns, fans are left wondering how much of this behavior has gone unchecked and at what cost to others involved in the projects.

A Missed Opportunity for Inclusion

The removal of Valkyrae from the Minecraft movie also represents a missed opportunity for authentic gamer representation in Hollywood.

As the first female co-owner of the esports organization 100 Thieves and a pioneering content creator in the gaming space, her appearance in a film based on a beloved video game was a symbolic win for the gaming community.

To see that moment seemingly stripped away in silence, potentially because she spoke out about a serious issue, has left her fans disheartened.

“She didn’t deserve this,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “She did the right thing by speaking up. It’s disgusting if that’s why she was cut.”

The Future of the Minecraft Movie

The film, directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), features a high-profile cast including Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Emma Myers, Danielle Brooks, Matt Berry, and Jennifer Coolidge. It’s been in development for nearly a decade, and expectations are high. But these recent revelations have cast a shadow over the project.

As the release date approaches, the studio may face increased pressure to address the controversy. For now, many fans are left with a sense of sadness, not just because of Valkyrae’s absence from the film, but because of what her story suggests about the entertainment industry’s continued struggles with accountability, especially when power dynamics are at play.

A Painful Reminder of Industry Realities

Valkyrae’s alleged removal is more than a casting change. It is a disappointing reminder of how speaking truth to power in entertainment still carries consequences.

While the Minecraft movie may still break box office records, for many in the community, its legacy will now be entangled with a sense of injustice.

As one fan put it:

“We wanted to see a gamer in that movie because she earned it. Now it just feels like we’re being reminded that Hollywood still protects the powerful, no matter who gets hurt.”

The studio behind the Minecraft movie has not responded to requests for comment. Valkyrae has not made further public statements on the matter as of this writing.